Response to Question #1
Communication occurs in all populations on earth, but what different cultures value or believe are not usually homogeneous. Worlds are built through not only communication, but through culture. The things we even choose to communicate about are determined by culture. Our ideologies, beliefs, and values all come into play when communication is involved. Our culture has attached meanings and values on something as little as what a basketball means, so when we are talking about a basketball we are talking about the object in terms of what culture has defined it as.
There is a link between culture and communication because communication reproduces culture, and culture creates meaning for communication. Different cultures may have assigned different meaning or value to an ideology, which alters the way communication works compared to the “American Culture”. The American Culture is one that is becoming more popular globally, but some fear that the consumerist and individualistic nature can be a slippery slope. Other cultures, such as poor nations or impoverished communities, may not even talk in terms of what designer Chanel bag should be purchased next or not, or may not give a crap about the Lakers and the Celtics.
If meaning is created and recreated by communication, then culture is usually one of the determiners in what people are actually communicating about. Our happiness and success depends on the way we communicate, and what we are communicating about. If society places quality of life on how much stuff you have, then I believe happiness and success become very difficult to achieve.
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I really like how you brought sports into the concept. It is interesting to think that sports hold their own culture. They have their own rituals and languages. If someone has never watched basketball then of course they aren't going to know who the Lakers and the Celtics are. But someone who has been a lifelong Lakers fan cares deeply who wins the Championship.
ReplyDeleteI am a hockey fan and many people that go to the games don't really have any idea of what is going on. However, they know if the horn blows it is time to stand up and cheer.
I would have never thought to bring sports into this post but I'm glad you did.
Summer10- I found it interesting that you said "Our happiness and success depends on the way we communicate, and what we are communicating about." I agree that materialism in U.S. culture limits our happiness. Even the spaces that we have to communicate in are limited by consumerist culture. Instead of talking with friends in public spaces, our culture often encourages us to go shopping to boost the economy. Friends then end up in malls talking about what they want to buy, and how buying something would make them happy, rather than focusing on non-material happiness. If you are interesting in studying the idea of consumerism further, I recommend reading "The High Price of Materialism," by Tim Kasser.
ReplyDeleteAlso as you brought up, it's pretty scary that the U.S. consumerist culture is spreading globally, because as people from other cultures start learning about certain brands of clothing or cars by talking about them, their values can shift to become more focused on trying to buy happiness as well.
This is a different and refreshing concept of culture to use as an example. Sports have definately created a world of communication all their own. If you are not a fan or follower of a particular sport or team then this culture means nothing to you. As a fan there is a whole new world of community and communication that takes place.
ReplyDeleteConsumerism is definately a cultural tool of communication in the United States and it is spreading into other cultures. To allow possessions to take the place of happiness or define your level of success does change your individual perspective of the world. Since globalization is such a dominant force spreading in industries and government practices, we will see what comes about from this spreading of culture world wide.