According to Albrow (cited in Rantenen 2005) globalisation
refers to “all those processes by which the peoples of the world are
incorporated into a single world society, global society.”
Although a broad definition, Albrow’s definition is very
similar to the way that I view Globalisation. In my opinion Globalization means
the formation of one blurred culture rather than an array of individualistic
cultures. When combining Albrow’s academic definition and my own opinion one
idea that keeps recurring is that of reality TV and the influence it is having
on the flows of dominant culture.
I myself am a reality TV junkie, and am quite happy to admit
it. From Geordie Shore to Australia’s Next Top Model to Keeping up with the
Kardashian’s the mind numbing, yet addictive format of reality TV gives me a
huge amount of entertainment. Yet when analysing these shows closely it is
actually quite easy to see just how huge of a factor these shows have become in
reference to globalisation and the flows of culture.
Stetka (2010)
wrote an interesting article on the format of reality TV and discussed how
these shows have become one of the most ‘widespread and successful forms of
media entertainment’ and are filling the ‘prime time on TV stations in
countries with very diverse cultural backgrounds’. The culture of reality TV is
becoming embedded in our society. Utter the name Kim Kardashian and I guarantee
nobody will say ‘who is that?’ yet why is she really famous? Eddie McGuire made
‘Who Wants to Be a Millionaire’ famous in Australia, yet this show originated
on British television and has been sold to 79
different countries demonstrating just how widespread reality TV has become.
Language is another effect of the cultural flows of reality
TV. Most notoriously the ‘Guidos’ of Jersey Shore and the ‘Geordie’s’ of
Geordie Shore (both infamous MTV prodigies) have seen an array of slang, which
was unheard of before these shows went to air, become integrated into
our language as well. This has even prompted people to make videos explaining
slang from these shows, just in case you weren’t sure already what a ‘grenade’ is.
Whether you like reality shows or you don't you can't deny their involvement in the flows of culture and globalisation.
References:
Stetka, V. 2005, Globalization, Reality TV and Cultural Inclusion: the Case of the 2005 Czech Search for a Superstar.
Rantanen, T. 2005, The Media and Globalization, Sage, London.
Waisbord, S. 2004, Television and New Media, Sage.
Images:
Both received through Google image
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