The Chokehold of Facebook

TOPIC: Facebook

SOURCE: Everyday Facebooking.

RELATION: I found that Facebook could relate a lot to this week's topic: Globalization, as well as localization. With Facebook becoming such a huge phenomenon around the world, it has changed the many ways in which we communicate with other people in our lives. 

Description: One day last week I was surfing the Facebook news feed when I came to ask myself, How many times a day do I do this? And how many times do I actually talk to the people that are my friends on Facebook? The first reality is that I go on Facebook several times a day, but usually only because I am bored and it is something that keeps me entertained for a while. And secondly, I don't talk to half of my friends on Facebook, actually more like 1/4 of them! The truth is it would be impossible to talk to all of those people and we wouldn't have anything to relate to half of the time anyway. I usually only talk to my good friends from back home or the people that are currently the most relevant in my life, hence, people I currently go to school with or hang out with.

Commentary/Analysis:  Although Facebook is definitely a product of globalization, it has also manifested in many ways in the local spectrum. First, it has changed the way that many people communicate in their daily lives. Commenting on posts or pictures is a new way of communicating. Advertising on Facebook is also a completely new way to reach consumers. It is also not as personal as having a face to face intimate conversation with a friend you haven't seen in a while. Facebook almost acts as a substitute for having to meet in person. Although people still maintain many of their relationships outside of Facebook, it has changed the context of where we first hear information nowadays as well. People rarely find out first hand or through a phone call when a person is engaged, married, or pregnant: they find out through Facebook. Facebook is a global phenomenon but is also locally maintained, as it has many different languages that people can use to better communicate with people around them. Facebook does not change the cultural norms or languages people use to communicate but acts as a way to brings people together in a single place. Good or bad aspects put aside, Facebook has changed our generation's way of doing things. 

OMG do you have the new iphone?

TOPIC: Technology, oh don't we all love it?!

The title says it all. Isn't that a phrase you hear often when new technology comes out, especially Apple products.

Source: The unfortunate experience of breaking the front screen of my iphone.  Conversations with friends regarding whether to fix it or purchase a new and better iphone. 

Relation: I think iphones and technology in general can be viewed as material culture or an artifact, especially in American culture. Going more into depth, the using of such devices (such as an iphone) can be viewed as a commonly practiced cultural behavior. From my experiences, anyone older that 18 who does not have a cell phone is looked at funny because it is almost expected for everyone to have a cell phone in our society. 

Description: As I was walking to the bus stop one beautiful morning, I dropped my iphone 3GS on the sidewalk cement and the front screen broke. My phone was still functional so I didn't pay much mind to it, as long as I could still see my screen, talk on the phone, text, and listen to music, I was a-ok! I got to school and met up with a few friends and showed them what had happen. Many of them had a very strong reaction to it, as if it were their own cell phone saying, "Oh no!! I know someone who can fix it for you!" or "You can order those parts online to fix it!". Most of my friends asked if I was going to get a new one. I really hadn't though about it. Many recommended I just get the newest iphone, the 4S. I later found out that I was available for an upgrade in March so I figured I would wait it out with a cracked screen until then.

Commentary/Analysis: I started thinking about how easily a phone can be repaired and replaced with a new one. I also began to think about why there is such a high demand for these products and came to the conclusion that they simply make our lives easier. We can store phone numbers and addresses, easily call someone or text, and can even keep track of what our friends and family are up to by a simple touch of a button. Apple products must be the most popular technology around the world, by far, because the name itself has meaning. The name and symbol stand for innovation and the newest, coolest technology out there. Americans especially are smitten by Apple products, since this culture is always striving to have the newest and the best technology. Having the newest phone is a must in the country and many countries around the world. People wait in huge lines to get the latest game console or phone so it must symbolize what we value as a culture, right?