Globolization and Hollywoodized

Globalization has been linked to facilitate exchange of ideas, culture among other aspects between international societies.  Globalization is growing intensively hence facilitating global interaction with its benefits mostly felt in film and martial arts industry. Use of social media has ultimately facilitated growth of globalization as media information is widely spread all over the world. Objective of this blog is to critically analyze impact of globalization in film industry and martial arts.

The attributes of Hollywood art is evident to have been spread all over the world with its impact being felt in film and art industries.  This process of its spread and its implications can be termed as Hollywoodization. As a matter of fact, its effects are mostly felt in other parts of world eluding the values of American society.  Hollywood values can be indentified on the manner at which people acts aggressively, their mode of acting, communication and their relationship between the sexes.  Due to globalization other film makers such as Bollywood has resulted to copying acting values of Hollywood scenes. According to Evans, (2011), Indians has resulted to seek training from Hollywood which has impacted the way they produce their movies. A good example of Hollywoodization can be seen in the production and making of Bakit Bughaw and langit which has aspects and values as that of American actors.  The acting and production of every scene of the movie represents the acting scenario of American movies.  To a far extent Hollywoodization can be seen as cultural colonialism as it effects have been largely felt in a non-Western film, music, television, games and other entertainment industry text( Uricchio & European Science Foundation, p.178).

Growth of globalization with combination of technologies of arts and media has accelerated spread of Hollywoodization across all parts of the world. Other arts and film industries have not only copied but also incorporated American values in their production works. This can be proved by the Indian movie Bakit Bughaw and langit which has characteristics of Hollywood movies.  Globalization has supported and enhanced growth of film and martial arts industry. Globalization has also facilitated spread of Hollywoodization with its effects being felt in other parts of the world.

To sum up, globalization has played a major role of enhancing growth of film and arts industries all over parts of world.  It has sported exchange of ideas and cultures between different societies of world. Its impacts can be felt in films industries where Hollywoodization values are mostly seen colonizing them.

 References

Evans, S 2011, 'The Hollywoodization of International Training', Back Stage (19305966), 52, 44,             pp. 3-6, Business Source Complete, EBSCOhost, viewed 23 September 2013.

Uricchio, W., & European Science Foundation. (2008). We Europeans?: Media, representations, identities. Bristol, UK: Intellect Books.

Celebrity

The concept of celebrity and the public performance of self in the modern era has totally change and all these can be attributed to social media and parallel media specific websites like YouTube. Man is increasingly inhibiting spaces where they are not only on display, but also think about their mediated construction of themselves. There is a complete proliferation of the public self in the sense that even advertising is used sentimentally inflected messages to convince various demographics of the value of goods for better relations and better lives. Everybody wants to lead a specular lifestyle that is designed by the media and portrayed by the celebrities. We are all celebrity stalkers and we live our lives as the mirror, what we see in them is that we do. Weird!

Consider this quote from marshal, (2010);

“The boundaries of public, private and intimate have always been a province of intriguing and tantalising debate about celebrity as people seek to find out what the famous are really like,"

Miranda Kerr is a tweeter, a female Australian supermodel, a Victoria’s Secret Angel, the founder of KORA Organics & author of Treasure yourself-a female self-help book. Miranda Kerr has 1,689,191twitter followers and 630 twitter accounts that she follows. So far, she has tweeted 1,658 tweets in her account.

Despite being a public figure, Miranda has managed to curve herself a private lifestyle. However, the public surveillance has not left her alone as she often has to live with the caution that the big brother is watching. She has used all form of social media to publicize herself, and rise to prominence. For example Miranda’s twitter activity does in fact contribute to her overall public image. Through twitter, one establishes that Miranda is not only Australian but also a Supermodel with a very high profile. We are also able to establish that in her modelling career she has been able to land a job as Victoria Secrets angel, has had a photo spread for vogue magazine, and more recently has been involved in the Rebook campaign. She mostly is willing to share her success with her followers, such as modelling as well as the different jobs she does on here tweeter page .She is living up to the expectations of her followers and staying professional in the social media environment.

Globalization has encouraged sharing of personal issues. Referring to Miranda, it is seen that she was able to share her dreams and aspirations with the international society. Miranda’s dream and aspiration was to sail and through social media.Globalization has ensured the growth of less popular celebrities to fully popular celebrities. Taking Miranda as an example, she acquired a lot of recognition from the global society. Many people through social media admired Miranda since she struggled to accomplish her dreams and become a super model. This made Miranda acquire fame and recognition.

Not only has globalization implicated the celebrities, it has also affected the audiences. Many people are striving to act and behave like celebrities. People try to imitate the lifestyles of celebrities in various aspects like clothing, language among other aspects. This effect has negatively affected the society in that people are abandoning their aspirations trying to embrace aspirations of celebrities which obviously lead them nowhere.       

Globalization has had negative implications on celebrities. Putting into account Tiger Woods, his entire career and reputation was ruined through social media. The spread of negative information can ruin a celebrities’ image making his fans and colleagues ashamed to be associated with the celebrity hence destroying his reputation.

From the entire discussion, it is seen that globalization issues have had more positive implications compared to negative implications. Therefore, globalization should be encouraged to ensure that people globally exchange ideas and information for the growth of the global society

References

Marshall, D, (2010). ‘The Specular Economy.’ Society, 47, 6, pp. 498 – 502, Academic Search Complete, EBSCOhost, viewed 31 August 201

Marshall, P. D Watson, J. 2010. Official Jessica Watson Blog, weblog: http://www. 2009. Tiger,       Tiger Burning Bright.... Tiger Woods and the contemporary celebrity juggernaut. David        Marshall, weblog

Computer Games as a Form of Participatory Media Culture

Participatory media is not only limited to the type of computer games  but also the peer to peer networks formed in the playing of a computer game. The culture can be seen to be formed around media but computer games have also specific characteristics that make it a form of media and a participatory culture; multimediality, virtuality, interactivity and connectivity (Raessens, & Kattenbelt, p. 425).

There is a great difference between the participatory culture found in computer games as opposed to other forms of media such as film and television. Film and Television allows the viewers to watch what the television has programmed, but it doesn’t allow the user to change or make any alterations to anything, however computer games and video games, the player is able to alter the game by adding new feature or reconfiguring the existing ones. The player is also able to choose which direction or action they want to take. Computer games unlike other forms of media have an active audience that interacts and reacts to particular game elements.

The concepts of participation have been used to back up the characterization of computer games as a participatory culture and as a media culture. The participatory concept has been divided into three domains; Interactivity which refers to the distinctive mode of relating to the audio –visual representations or fictions. This concept is depicted in video games since the player is able to take control of what happens in a game given the controls (Darley, p. 156).

The second domain is the reconfiguration of an existing game. This refers to the exploration of the unknown. The player of the game makes strategic decisions about the alternative actions or path to take without necessarily making any changes in the software or history of the game. Configuration can also be seen when the game player builds a virtual world by selecting objects and actions from a fixed set of system (Raessens, pg.380). The third domain is the is construction which is the addition of new game elements which exists in the making of games or the modification of an already existing game which is also described as the deconstruct and alter of the existing game to suit the players needs (Raessens,pg.381).

The combination of the three domains and the inclusion of rules that govern the playing of the games give video games a feel of reality. The persuasion to play is brought about by the seduction of winning. Games can therefore be defined as part of participatory culture that allows the players to interact with the games

References

Darley, A. (2000). Visual digital culture: Surface plays a spectacle in new media genres. London      and New York: Routledge

 Raessens, J. & Kattenbelt, C. (2003). Computer games and the complexity of experience. In: M.     Copier. Raessens, J. (Eds.), Level up: Digital games research conference2003 (pp. 420–       425). Utrecht: Utrecht University,Faculty of Arts.

Raessens , J (ND). Computer games as participatory media culture.

http://blog.lib.umn.edu/nich0185/myblog2/2012/03/video-game-causes-boy-to-shoot-his-parents.html

Globalization, work place blogging and employee cynicism

While companies often consider blogs as an inbound marketing concept, individuals consider blogging as a branding concept through which they tell their tales and spread gossip. However, to scholars blogs are one of the best examples that market the age of presumption. Just like the other social media, the civil society or the third sector of the society is relying on blogs as source of information, as the prosumers tend to relay news better than the mainstream media. Citizen journalism is demonstrated by blogs because of their cost effectiveness both to the audiences and to the journalist (Bryne, &, Hochwarter, 2008, pp. 54–72).

In the corporate environment, employee cynicism and whistle blowing have also benefited from blogging. However, globalization seems to the driver of work blogging because as the world shrinks into a digital village, employee awareness is the new norm as they are more aware of their rights at the workplace. Many employees are now sharing their experience in the globalized world. Employee cynicism has two implications: power and control to the employee as they no longer have to die slowly at work because of injustices.

Richards, &, Kosmala, (2013) posits that gone is the age of oppressive organizational cultures and regimes with the coming of blogs and social media.

 Thorough employee cynicism is considered more of Americanization especially with the increasing case of employee demonstration and negative blogging like in the case of Wal-Mart, and MacDonald. Employee cynicism is now a worldwide phenomenon because even the employees of multinational companies are increasingly becoming more outspoken about their company’s practices, and culture such that no organization in the UK, and a number developing economies can now force their employee to work against their will especially if they know something’s wrong.

While employee cynicism is increasingly considered in the negative light, it is quite clear that most organizations have conformed and many changes have been realised as a result of employee activism thanks to blogs. Many employees are whistle blowing and many organizations are increasingly becoming more careful of malpractices (Andersson, 1996, pp. 1395–1418). According to Bryne, &, Hochwarter (2008, pp. 54–72), workplace blogging is one of the best forums where employees can express their opinions to the management without fear of victimization. Employee can nowadays reject corporate culture initiatives through their workplace blogging. Employee cynicism may be impedance to organizational change because organizational culture initiatives are intended to colonize the employee identity. However, cynicism tends to thwart such culture change initiatives. The problem with such thinking is that it is myopic to consider employee cynicism as tactic of transgression.

Employee blogging is useless if cynicism is not allowed. Blogging is one of the most effective way by which employee overcomes corporate hegemony and identity colonization. Perhaps, organizations should accept workplace blogging and employee cynicism just as they have accepted change in the current global scape. Blogging is not only a media scape, but also a tool that can be wielded to realize individual and organizational aims. 

References

Andersson, L. (1996), ‘Employee Cynicism: An Examination Using a Contract Violation     Framework’, Human Relations 49, 11, 1395–1418.

Bryne, Z, &, W. Hochwarter (2008), ‘Perceived Organizational Support and Performance:        Relationships across Levels of Organizational Cynicism’, Journal of Managerial    Psychology 23, 1, 54–72.

James Richards and Katarzyna Kosmala, (2013). ‘In the end, you can only slag people off    for so long’: employee cynicism through work blogging. New Technology, Work and       Employment 28:1

Surveillance and the Snowden case

While the constitutionality of the surveillance is at stake, everyone is challenging the government’s surveillance program on the understanding that the surveillance program seems to be infringing on their personal privacy. However, this seems to be one of the cases of double standards as the law is applied differently considering the fact that this is the era of freedom of press where everyone is free to say anything as long as it does not violates anyone’s freedom. For example, when the government violates one’s privacy, it is protecting the Americans, but when its programs are exposed, one becomes a fugitive. Is it a case of realism or paranoia because after the wiki leaks, the government is still to learn that there is not secrecy in public? Perhaps the government should reconsider its stand on surveillance or offer a plausible explanation for the same. I consider Edwards Snowden a patriot, and a hero for doing what is right.

                                        image :Edward Snowden has been granted temporary asylum in Russia

Currently, we are in the age of user generated content where the social media users can generate any content and share with the general public and Snowden’s case is  one of those contents. I am a prosumer, and so are Snowden. I consider myself a prosumer in the context of the social media because I can create, my won content, edit other peoples content, and share to others who will consider me a producer. Snowden is just a prosumer (produce and consumers) of the contents and is free to share his content. Perhaps it is important to redefine the term freedom and constitutionality of actions or programs. However, information on the unauthorized collection of data on Americans or eavesdropping on foreign intelligence targets that entered the United States is not illegal; neither is sharing the same information. Never the less, it seems that the current system does not follow the traditional production- consumption paradigm (Ritzer, &, Jurgenson, 2010, p. 25).Controlling information is the beginning of the downfall of man, and so is the prosecution of the society members who work hard to make information accessible. The Snowden case, is not supposed to be a case worth much hullabaloo if the government was not doing anything illegal.

It is real because the government has admitted to some degree about its NSA surveillance programs. While the government has admitted collecting unauthorized data through their NSA surveillance program, it is not clear why the government fails to explain who watches the watchers because even the American community is in need of forthright complete information that the NSA is not providing. Using the position of power to infringe on the privacy of Americans, and the world community at large is not right especially when there is not adequate explanation. When freedom of expression would be realized even in the most ideologically developed country like America. Considering the case of wiki leaks, it is becoming clear that the American government does have the best interest of the Americans when they violate their privacy an break the same rules that were designed to protect them.

The NSA overreach is the worst example of surveillance because it seems the surveillance program does more than collect intelligence, as the people who work to protect the country are the same-labeled traitors and not patriot. I think the Snowden case will have many externalities and many relations will be strained by the time the case is over (Wood, & Wood, 2013).

Reference:

Wood, A., & Wood., T. O. (2013, August 01). Snowden case: What’s in it for Russia? CNN. Retrieved August 26, 2013, from http://edition.cnn.com/2013/08/01/opinion/opinion-snowden-wood

George Ritzer and Nathan Jurgenson, (2010). Production,Consumption, Prosumption:The nature of capitalism in the age of the digital 'prosumer. Journal of Consumer Culture 2010 10: 13

 

Official channels versus mobilization tactic

When a strong perpetrator attacks a weak target, many people feel this is unfair. Their anger can be decreased when they think fairness is being guaranteed by bodies such as watchdogs, courts as well as expert panels. In spite of this, these procedures often favor those with more money and power.

 In addition, they move matters from the public stage to narrow arenas where experts such as lawyers take centerstage. Formal processes usually are slow; therefore public anger dies down while the matter is being considered. For all these reasons, influential perpetrators time and again wish that targets refer matters to official channels.

The use of official channels does not seem clear in the fight over file sharing. The court is the main official channel involved since the music industry prosecutes peer to peer users and Web sites such as Bit Torrent indexing. But the courts are not only being used to reduce outrage, they are a major means of attack.

In January 2008 for example, criminal and civil charges were filed in Swedish courts against the Pirate Bay by IFPI (International Federation of the Pornographic Industry). The Pirate Bay was considered to be the number one source of illegal music, after victorious court actions against two formerunlicensed services namely Grosser and Kazak. The judgment of The Pirate Bay was the latest episode in aggressive legal actions against persons and groups involved in file sharing.

As much as the victims of attack time and again turn to official channels for compensation this is often a blunder.

Whistle blowers, for example, when they suffer retaliations for speaking out, usually take their concerns to an appeal body such as watchdog, anticorruption agencies and auditor general. According to Martin (2003), these seldom provide an effective response. Therefore, it is far more effective to take the matter to public audiences. Similarly, for file sharers who come under attack, it is far more effective to seek publicity than to defend in the courts.But as much as defending in a court is necessitous, it should not be the only response.

Court cases can be also used as a creative means of publicity, though the efficacy of such an approach is questionable at best. For instance, during the Pirate Bay Trial, the suspects tweeted from the courtroom, seeking to increase awareness of the trial through the viral spread of information through the use of the hash tag (#).

In conclusion, the industry has been most successful when using tactics such as devaluation and reinterpretation but other tactics such as cover–up or official channels has not been used in ways to reduce anger, and its use of tactics such as bullying has fueled opinion against it. Legal actions have at times succeeded in the short term, but with the longer term outcome of hurting industry’s reputation, in particular by placing industry as the agent of injustice.

In relation to answer the question that ‘Are all remixes innovators or thieves? Should you pay for every sample used in a recording or piece of video art?’  

In my view, all remixes are thieves since it is considered to be music piracy. Music piracy is the copying and distribution of copies from a piece of music for which the copyright holding company, composer and recording artist did not agree. Therefore, it vital that one pays for every sample used in a recording.

Reference

Demers, J, (2006). Steal this music: How intellectual property law affects musical creativity. Athens: University of Georgia Press.

Alderman, J(2001). Sonic boom: Napster, MP3, and the new pioneers of music. Cambridge, Mass.: Perseus.

Hinduja, S (2006). Music piracy and crime theory. LFB scholarly Publications.