Globalization refers to ‘expansion and intensification of social
relations and consciousness across world-time and world-space’ Chen (cited in
steger 2009, p15) the new media enable users learn international events through
internet access, and incorporate with different cultures through media and
communication technologies. These characteristics have indicted associations
between globalization and communication. Interpersonal communication as one
important aspect of social relations has changed due to the development of
media and communication.
The interview with my grandmother was a discussion about how does
the information flows of globalisation change her lives. The discussion was based on the perspective
of communication. ‘Now with all of the technologies it has created complex
forms of interaction between people’ she said. Most of her family members are
starting communicate outside of traditional spaces such as homes. It was good
at the beginning because when they are busy working or studying in another
city, the mass-mediated communication allowing them to break away from the
constraints of physical distance. But these relationships are fundamentally
changed due to the globalization of mass-mediated communication. Every family
member is busy with their mobile devices during family gatherings or even at
dinner tables. We could not have a proper conversation anymore. The information
flow of mass media has leaded my family members to be distracted or
psychologically separated from those with whom they are physically
present. We are connected when we are
apart, but we are disconnected when we are together.
Reference
Chen, 2012, ‘The impact of new media on intercultural communication
in global context’ China media research vol.8. issue.2, p1-10, communication
mass media complete
