http://www.opendemocracy.net/globalization/umma_2904.jsp
"Transnational Umma: Reality or Myth?
By: Fred Halliday
Written: June 10, 2005
In order to address the process of transnationalism the definiton should be clearly stated to facilitate common understanding and perspective. According to askoxford.com Transnationalsim is extending or operating across national borders. Although this is general and vague definition it seems as though this is all we have to work with. In the article sited above Fred Halliday analyzes terrorists movements as one of the largest transnational communities. I agree that terrorist groups especially groups such as Al-Qaida are huge transnational communities that are bound by their devout and extreme faith. Even though they function as cells across the globe they are communal in regards to the faith that binds them. This connection makes them some of the most dangerous terrorists. I say this because religion is one of the most powerful form of beliefs, ideologies, and values and more importantly it creates an ethereal form of brotherhood and soul connections. These are binds that are rarely broken.
What does this have to do with transnationalism? Well in the past, almost decade, religious radicalist groups most noted: Al-Qaida, Hezballah, Taliban, etc..., have been spreading their geographical reach from end of the globe to the next. Indonesia with the largest Islamic population which has become a comfortable home for some radical cells, they have inhabited most of Europe, Africa, and the United States. Many have claimed that transnationalism is a detriment to society due to this ability to spread beliefs and certain cases violence across borders without issue. The issues of 9/11, car bombings globally, subway stations bombed, and other consistent threats are what pose to be the problem for those with an opinion on the topic. Especially the author of the article above. However, it is rare that an individual can find an essay dedicated to the good can be spread from transnationalism and the benefits of going from border to border.
For example, Suffism during the Abbassid Empire were Islamic Mystics who travelled and spread the Hadith, or the Word of God and dictated by the Prophet Muhammad, and they may be creditted for actually spreading the word, the faith, and the arabic language from the middle east to parts of russia, all of over asia, and the western hemisphere. Transnationalism in the hands of religious groups is not always dangerous. Yes it is easy to say so because the examples are so obvious today, but we need to ask ourselves how did we as Americans, as Englishmen, as Germans, as Argentinians, as Men of the Middle East: how did we come to be where are located today and the belief systems of which abide. All through transnationalism of peoples, writings, even stolen art work.
I end this by saying thank you to the those who pariticipate in transnationalism, it is this within our roots that has ironically created the border in which we live today, modified our technology, and further developed humanity as a whole.
Friday, November 21, 2008
Friday, November 14, 2008
Technology... the new world.
http://www.technewsworld.com/story/EA-to-Join-Wii-Fitness-Craze-65153.html
"EA to Join Wii Fitness Craze"
By Walaika HaskinsTechNewsWorld 11/13/08 3:11 PM PT
In Manuell Castells "Network Society" he discovers a trend, perhaps preemptively for his time, but fits quite suitably for today. It is incredible how so many people in my generation, generation "x", stand so polarly to this issue. Some argue that we are merely adjusting to the excitement of invention the tool of humanity that embraces our ability to reason and use our mental abilities toward the betterment of man. Therefore with such changes comes that requirement of change along with the glorified technology. However, there is a very different stance in which many feel as though technology has overcome the intimate connection man needs with the word that surrounds him. This story linked up above is an example of well... a break in techonology. This article discusses more Wii sports that will be added to the preexisting game. Wii sports includes all different forms of excersize via a technological box that is the interaction between man and an imaginary man created in the nintendo box. While playing tennis the average man does not have to worry about public performance, finding a partner, or if he wins or loses. This is the detachment that is addressed by people who are against the technological boom. Contrarily, a lot of people support this detachment claiming that it takes away the added stresses of having a social life, it keeps you healthy, and maintaining health means that an individual can maintain personal happiness.
This is exactly what Castells refers to, although he did not forsee Wii sports, but he did anticipate a world of "space of places", i.e. a reference to the tangible physical world that which intereferes with the "space of flows". This refers to the world that is seemily transcendant of that which is physical. In his writings he often would discuss the issues arising with the information flow historically beginning with word of mouth, to letters, to morse code, to the radio, to the television news, and now the overflowing volumes of blogs. Wii sport is only the beginning to the contual process of including more technology to our public lives. Is it for our own good and the betterment of man or will it be the end as some seem to think? Personally it is what you make of it, but well, not everyone seems to follow such a motto. The outcome will shine through all in good time.
"EA to Join Wii Fitness Craze"
By Walaika HaskinsTechNewsWorld 11/13/08 3:11 PM PT
In Manuell Castells "Network Society" he discovers a trend, perhaps preemptively for his time, but fits quite suitably for today. It is incredible how so many people in my generation, generation "x", stand so polarly to this issue. Some argue that we are merely adjusting to the excitement of invention the tool of humanity that embraces our ability to reason and use our mental abilities toward the betterment of man. Therefore with such changes comes that requirement of change along with the glorified technology. However, there is a very different stance in which many feel as though technology has overcome the intimate connection man needs with the word that surrounds him. This story linked up above is an example of well... a break in techonology. This article discusses more Wii sports that will be added to the preexisting game. Wii sports includes all different forms of excersize via a technological box that is the interaction between man and an imaginary man created in the nintendo box. While playing tennis the average man does not have to worry about public performance, finding a partner, or if he wins or loses. This is the detachment that is addressed by people who are against the technological boom. Contrarily, a lot of people support this detachment claiming that it takes away the added stresses of having a social life, it keeps you healthy, and maintaining health means that an individual can maintain personal happiness.
This is exactly what Castells refers to, although he did not forsee Wii sports, but he did anticipate a world of "space of places", i.e. a reference to the tangible physical world that which intereferes with the "space of flows". This refers to the world that is seemily transcendant of that which is physical. In his writings he often would discuss the issues arising with the information flow historically beginning with word of mouth, to letters, to morse code, to the radio, to the television news, and now the overflowing volumes of blogs. Wii sport is only the beginning to the contual process of including more technology to our public lives. Is it for our own good and the betterment of man or will it be the end as some seem to think? Personally it is what you make of it, but well, not everyone seems to follow such a motto. The outcome will shine through all in good time.
Friday, October 31, 2008
All Hallows Eve...
http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/Business/Story?id=2617781&page=1
This article, Is Halloween the Next Christmas?, was written in October of 2006 and posted on abcnews.go.com. In honor of Halloween I thought it would appropriate to address how the ghoulish products speak for themselves. In class we focused on the sentence written by Richard Wilk: "When we treat goods as language we make the touristic error of seeing every place becoming more like our own; we don't see that Kentucky Fried Chicken means nothing very different in Belize than it does in New York". In this quote Wilk is trying to say that goods, i.e. merchandise, gives a message to every consumer as a collective or a community.
Although Halloween is not a perfectly international celebration, within this homogenious world Halloween has made its way around the world in one way or another. With such fun happening internationally what merchandise speaks the most to every child? Candy and Costumes! I personally know, understand, and have witnessed the exciting language of Halloween Merchandise. I work at the Mall, and actually just came home from there, were there were thousands of children dressed up and with every piece of candy was excited and every costume was an endorsed smile or shriek. This article approaches how Halloween has spoken to children especially in the United States and how it has changed the patterns of retail holiday schedule and the affects on the market.
Every child speaks the language of candy and costumes which translates into the markets increase via supply and demand of retail stores. Nothing communicates more than a smile and increased sales!
Happy Halloween!
This article, Is Halloween the Next Christmas?, was written in October of 2006 and posted on abcnews.go.com. In honor of Halloween I thought it would appropriate to address how the ghoulish products speak for themselves. In class we focused on the sentence written by Richard Wilk: "When we treat goods as language we make the touristic error of seeing every place becoming more like our own; we don't see that Kentucky Fried Chicken means nothing very different in Belize than it does in New York". In this quote Wilk is trying to say that goods, i.e. merchandise, gives a message to every consumer as a collective or a community.
Although Halloween is not a perfectly international celebration, within this homogenious world Halloween has made its way around the world in one way or another. With such fun happening internationally what merchandise speaks the most to every child? Candy and Costumes! I personally know, understand, and have witnessed the exciting language of Halloween Merchandise. I work at the Mall, and actually just came home from there, were there were thousands of children dressed up and with every piece of candy was excited and every costume was an endorsed smile or shriek. This article approaches how Halloween has spoken to children especially in the United States and how it has changed the patterns of retail holiday schedule and the affects on the market.
Every child speaks the language of candy and costumes which translates into the markets increase via supply and demand of retail stores. Nothing communicates more than a smile and increased sales!
Happy Halloween!
Friday, October 17, 2008
Place vs. Non-Place Culture
http://money.cnn.com/2006/06/25/magazines/fortune/charity1.fortune/index.htm
“Warren gives away his fortune”: By Carol J. Loomis, FORTUNE editor-at-large
June 25 2006: 3:08 PM EDT
Auge’s idea of “non-places” is a concept not easily grasped. Honestly, I am not sure that I have even come close to what he is addressing. From what I can understand Auge has addressed the detachment of humanity in accordance with his surroundings to the point that we, as a community, have created a physical place that is dedicated to nonconnectedness. To some extent it would be naïve to say that we are far from this point. However, I disagree that collectively and internationally we have come together as if in a conference and decided where these places are and will be located.
Most importantly, if this theory is analyzed from a purely economic stand point Auge would say, for example, something along the lines that a city such as Tokyo is a city dedicated to commerce. By commerce I mean that Tokyo is a center in which people go there not to gape at the culture surrounding them, but rather a city that is focused on the economic business transactions of the world via stock exchange, importing, exporting, e-commerce, and other such examples. Although to some extent this may be true I do not believe that it is entirely a “non-place” because the very interaction of peoples within the constantly moving business metropolis of Tokyo, the people have created a place within a place by creating a new form of culture and physical awareness. Not the physical awareness of geography or demographics but a culture of numbers and statistics. There are men such as Warren Buffet and Bill Gates who have dedicated their lives to this culture and have become respected for it.
The article that I have linked may not directly correlate with Auge’s ideals, but it does highlight the great impact of a successful culture of numbers and connection to the community, i.e. creating the connectedness that we do sustain. Warren Buffet is one of the most if not the richest man in the world. Over many years Mr. Buffet learned the culture, traditions, and habits of the realms of numbers and statistics. In doing so he has become outstandingly successful and in so doing with the coming of his old age he has decided to bequeath his financial greatness to the very society that founded the culture in which he thrived. This is not merely an act of humanity and compassion, but a response and what he feels is an obligation that connects his fast paced world of money to all of his neighbors. With this connection immediately a place has been created not just with one man, but with an entire community.
“Warren gives away his fortune”: By Carol J. Loomis, FORTUNE editor-at-large
June 25 2006: 3:08 PM EDT
Auge’s idea of “non-places” is a concept not easily grasped. Honestly, I am not sure that I have even come close to what he is addressing. From what I can understand Auge has addressed the detachment of humanity in accordance with his surroundings to the point that we, as a community, have created a physical place that is dedicated to nonconnectedness. To some extent it would be naïve to say that we are far from this point. However, I disagree that collectively and internationally we have come together as if in a conference and decided where these places are and will be located.
Most importantly, if this theory is analyzed from a purely economic stand point Auge would say, for example, something along the lines that a city such as Tokyo is a city dedicated to commerce. By commerce I mean that Tokyo is a center in which people go there not to gape at the culture surrounding them, but rather a city that is focused on the economic business transactions of the world via stock exchange, importing, exporting, e-commerce, and other such examples. Although to some extent this may be true I do not believe that it is entirely a “non-place” because the very interaction of peoples within the constantly moving business metropolis of Tokyo, the people have created a place within a place by creating a new form of culture and physical awareness. Not the physical awareness of geography or demographics but a culture of numbers and statistics. There are men such as Warren Buffet and Bill Gates who have dedicated their lives to this culture and have become respected for it.
The article that I have linked may not directly correlate with Auge’s ideals, but it does highlight the great impact of a successful culture of numbers and connection to the community, i.e. creating the connectedness that we do sustain. Warren Buffet is one of the most if not the richest man in the world. Over many years Mr. Buffet learned the culture, traditions, and habits of the realms of numbers and statistics. In doing so he has become outstandingly successful and in so doing with the coming of his old age he has decided to bequeath his financial greatness to the very society that founded the culture in which he thrived. This is not merely an act of humanity and compassion, but a response and what he feels is an obligation that connects his fast paced world of money to all of his neighbors. With this connection immediately a place has been created not just with one man, but with an entire community.
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