Ellen Heath Sherry Jackson English 101.047 24 September 2014 “Beneath the Smooth Skin of America” Wearing the most expensive clothes and buying the most popular brands seems to be the norm for Americans across the country in today’s society in order to fit in and be a part of the mainstream flow of the media. On a daily basis you see the same outfits and products walking the streets of this country, but what has happened to the regional distinctions that set others a part? In Sanders’ essay, “Beneath the Smooth Skin of America”, he opens readers eyes to the fact that regional culture is quickly fading due to the comfortable option of the familiar and the mainstream ideas of mass-culture and production. Sanders explains by learning about the history of land and nature around us and stepping out of the predictable, we can rebuild the unique aspects of our home regions and reconnect with our “local” community and identity. In the past, the imprint from a person’s homeland was distinctive and obvious, you could tell where that person was from just by the way they dressed or acted.
Merriam Webster defines Consumerism as “the belief that it is good for people to spend a lot of money on goods and services” (Merriam-Webster. 2014). This definition is a true reflection of the consumer culture of the time. The roll consumerism played in America was deeply affected by the increase use of consumer credit for the consumption of products. This use of consumer credit by the masses was seen as an essential tool for the success of the American people.
The “British way of life”, namely how people act and live, is conformed in large part by the social structures in which they find themselves and how react to them: positively, negatively or apathetically. Social structures affect individuals directly in their daily lives (e.g. the Government decisions, the commercial organization, media and community life) and are reflected as well on culture: - High cultural forms are interesting for a minority and are connected to wealth and class, but now this is changing because the blurring of class barriers and expanded education. - Popular cultural activities have always been present in British society, more numerous and diverse since 1960s. The mass popular culture has
It is fair to say that Frederick Taylor's career exemplified the Industrial Revolution he helped to lead: a mixture of beneficent achievements and malign shortcomings. Robert Kanigel's The One Best Way: Frederick Winslow Taylor and the Enigma of Efficiency tells Taylor's story comprehensively and fairly. The length of the book is somewhat forbidding, and in some sections excessive. Kanigel clearly immersed himself in his subject, and at times he is too eager to make sure we know it. Despite the page count, the book is highly readable and on the whole richly rewards the reader's investment of time.
As a result, their own traditions and customs are replaced comprehessively/by a massive one. Another development of (reason for) the impact of modern technology is on creating a similar world (is) that makes it possible for cultures to communicate with each other. When watching TV programs, searching web and chatting through the Internet, people learn about foreign cultures and try to make/adopt some of those as their own. The exchange of knowledge has had a great impact on their lives. The café from Brazil, the scotch from Scotland, the cigars from Cuba, the wine from France, the American music, that appear through different medias (and) become well-known in many parts of the world, are good examples of how modern technology influences people’s life and also creates a single world culture which according to McLuhan functions like a global village.. .
The first settlers on this land were foreigners who came to improve their condition and escape oppression just as the immigrants of these days and times are also making an effort to do. Nichols states that “by abundant observation man … is improved and brought to its highest perfection by an intermingling of blood and qualities of various races. “ (20). America is predominating to other countries because of the various ethnicities that make up her population. Since America was founded by immigrants, which proves that it should be equally diverse land.
Owing to the reform and opening-up, our country nowadays has been influenced by western culture to a certain extent. American culture is one of the most influential because America exports its culture, especially popular culture, through a number of media. And American popular culture has especially deep influence on the teenagers. So most of us are familiar with or fond of American popular culture like music, TV, movies, dance, sports, fashion, cultural idols and so on. Some people may think that American pop culture lacks depth and wouldn’t be popular for long.
Mercantilist legislation passed to expand ports such as Liverpool and Glasgow ensured more exports and imports could be carried out due to the new size and sophistication of the ports = extends trade, revenue and wealth, more funds for war and overseas domination Para 2: Trading companies also played a part in the expansion of empire but could not have flourished without mercantilism. * Trading companies created links with governments abroad - EIC relationships with the Moguls in India lead to them being granted a firmum allowing them
Globalisation has brought rapid economic growth and has seen India become more important player on the world political stage. It has also brought rising prosperity to some – notably India’s new middle class. Meera Nanda’s 2008 book, god and globalisation, examines the role of Hinduism, the religion of 85% of the population, in legitimating both the rise of a new Hindu ‘ultra-nationalism’ and the prosperity of the Indian middle class. Globalisation has created a huge and prosperous, scientifically educated, urban middle class in India, working in IT, pharmaceuticals and biotechnology sectors closely tied into the global economy. As a result of this these are precisely the people whom secularisation theory predicts will be the first to abandon religion in favour of a secular worldview.
She looked at globalisation in India, which had brought about a new middle class of scientists, I.T technicians and stock traders all beneficial to the global economy and found that there was actually an increased level of religiosity after the globalisation process. This leads to suggest that there is actually a positive correlation between religion and globalisation. Although research has shown that religion mainly appeals to the working class, in India, the middle classes tend to be more religious. Nanda notes that it has become ‘the fashion’ to be religious and this is increasing with new found wealth. However this may cause tension between their status and religion as Hinduism, as most religions, promote living life simple and free of worldly desires.