Transnationalism

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.

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.