Americanization. Warning. Post if u want, no 1 is forcing u

[Hermit of the Hills]

Ozumou

better start being VERY nice to China people.

Nah. India. At this rate they'll overtake China soon, unless they get blown up by Pakistan.

Anyway, it's always been the case with world powers - extending their influence any way they could. I mean, it was really all really France and Britain until about WWII. I think it's only all the scarier now because of the rate at which American culture seems to be spreading thanks to the advent of things such as TV and the internet.

Still, it freaks me out too. You could probably count on fingers and toes the number of TNCs ruling the world right now. A global culture does have some benefits, but the thought of a world with nations so similar is really unappealing. I'm not saying that everyone's going to be exactly like America, but there IS going to be (further) significant damage to the individuality of cultures.

What makes it worse is that there's absolutely no way of stopping it. First world countries are already caught in the cycle, and developing ones have to conform to western modes of business etc. to succeed, and in doing so often strive to become like America as they see it as an ideal. No nation can really succeed these days without opening itself up to trade and thus predominant western influences. Yes, it irritates the crap out of me, but... yes. GAAARGH.  

[WellzY]

Hermit of the Hills

Ozumou

better start being VERY nice to China people.

Nah. India. At this rate they'll overtake China soon, unless they get blown up by Pakistan.

Anyway, it's always been the case with world powers - extending their influence any way they could. I mean, it was really all really France and Britain until about WWII. I think it's only all the scarier now because of the rate at which American culture seems to be spreading thanks to the advent of things such as TV and the internet.

Still, it freaks me out too. You could probably count on fingers and toes the number of TNCs ruling the world right now. A global culture does have some benefits, but the thought of a world with nations so similar is really unappealing. I'm not saying that everyone's going to be exactly like America, but there IS going to be (further) significant damage to the individuality of cultures.

What makes it worse is that there's absolutely no way of stopping it. First world countries are already caught in the cycle, and developing ones have to conform to western modes of business etc. to succeed, and in doing so often strive to become like America as they see it as an ideal. No nation can really succeed these days without opening itself up to trade and thus predominant western influences. Yes, it irritates the crap out of me, but... yes. GAAARGH.

Luff.

I don't think I need to state my views, I've already done it like three times in this thread.  

[Hermit of the Hills]

WellzY

EmWah

I highly doubt that. In a few hundred years America will go the way of most super powers which grow arrogant and in their own strength. Their empire will crumble and some other nation will assume top spot in the pecking order.

That's if there are enough resources left on the planet to support another seried of global-power struggles.

Ozumou -- So true, but same sort of principle. If China lived at the same standard as Australians, or worse yet Amercans, we'd all be ******** class="clear">