The Christ God Killed The Time Of Heroes - Beowulf

Canberra, Capital of Art

Aussies tend to complain about their capital city, a lot. Canberra is viewed as a rather boring compromise, which has been reached mainly to avoid choosing between Sydney and Melbourne. Visitors however, tend to appreciate the city’s open spaces and the sights, of which there are quite a few. But what Canberra does really well is art, and here are a few reasons why it’s worth checking it out on that account.

National Gallery of Australia

This is a huge, representative and ultramodern space with all the bells and whistles, but what this particular gallery does best is bring some of the most spectacular artworks from overseas for exhibit in Australia. To give you an example, from 14 December this year you’ll be able to appreciate an extensive collection of works by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, as he documented the world of turn of 19th century Paris. Previous exhibitions included the fabulous impressionists and art of the renaissance, and there are ongoing exhibits of local artists as well as interesting symposia and lectures. What the NGA is not so good at is sharing; so get your cheap flights to Canberra as either you come here to see it, or you miss out completely.

National Portrait Gallery

It may look a little like a bunker, but the NPG offers a great insight into Australia, through the focus on individuals that helped shape the country’s history, politics, social policy, culture and the arts. There are over 400 portraits here, ranging from centrepieces, like John Webber’s 1782 portrait of Captain James Cook and Ned Kelly's death mask to Howard Arkley’s iconic depiction of musician Nick Cave. You can also catch excellent temporary exhibits at the gallery, like the current “Elegance in exile: Portrait Drawings from Colonial Australia.”

National Museum Australia

If you are more interested in Australia’s history, visit the National Museum Australia, which offers a well rounded perspective on Australia’s social history. Here you’ll be able to not only have a look at art from different periods, but also discover various colonial artefacts, including 19th century clothing, as well as domestic items and even beautiful historic cars! There is also an extensive focus on the country’s indigenous culture, including exhibits of work by contemporary Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists.

Canberra Glassworks

This is a lovely and unique place perfect for those, who like their arts more hands-on. Situated in the historic Kingston Powerhouse, the Glassworks offer not only exhibits from professional glass artists, whom you can see actually at work, but you can also take entry-level glass making classes yourself and create your own piece, be it a bird, a bauble or the more traditional paperweight. Free tours are available on the weekends at 11 am.
The short list above is just the tip of the iceberg of course, as there is plenty more to explore, including Canberra Museum and Gallery, The Gallery Of Australian Design, Contemporary Arts Space, many private galleries and for the little ones…the National Dinosaur Museum, whose animatronic dinosaurs can probably pass for art of its very own kind!

Citations:

• cc licence flickr photo by 49333775@N00

Patricia Bieszk is a freelance writer, who is very fond of travel as well as the arts.

The Turkish Culture and Color Palettes

Embroidery has long since been a part of Turkish life, even dating back to centuries ago when needlework and handlooms were the way of life. In the days of the Ottoman Empire, embroidery and handlooms were extremely important as they were used to create headscarves, kaftans, robes, headgear, belts, handkerchiefs, and various other items that were needed and worn on a daily basis. At the same time, these techniques and embroidered patterns were also used to create palace furnishings including cushion covers, curtains, throne covers, and even rugs and mats for the floor. One of the most notable facts about Turkish embroidery is that it was a part of life for everyone from the richest of the rich to the poorest of the poor. The embroidery was a simple way to add touches of color to almost everything.

The Golden Days
Back in the 16th century, one of the most prominently used colors in the Turkish culture was gold. Often times these gold threads were used to create couches and other types of furniture that truly gleamed in shined a golden color. The golden thread was used to add a beautiful embroidered pattern to what used to be simple satin-covered furnishing. The same gold thread was also used on horse covers, saddles, bow bags, as well as for clothing. Over time the golden thread would be accompanied by rubies, pearls, and other beautiful additions.

Adding More Color
Overtime different Turkish groups began experimenting with new colors and materials. In the late 16th century and on, colored silks became extremely popular, especially silks that were ruby red, blue, pink, and pistachio green. Even during these later times, gold thread still found its place throughout Turkish embroidery. Silks were used to create bedspreads as well as clothing. While gold thread still had its place, more design-filled embroideries, thanks to Chinese influence, became more common. Roses, tulips, carnations, and hyacinths were all widely used for embroidery patterns during the late 16th century.

The 17th Century and On
The late 16th century all but opened the flood gates for new influences on Turkish embroidery as well as color palates. New plant and floral motifs became extremely popular, along with medallions. Brick red and darker greens replaced pistachio green and ruby red. From the 17th century and on, the Turkish culture and color palate would grow, adding new styles of arranging floral and plant embroidery and colors would become much deeper but still earth tones that still gave off a sense of royalty and uniqueness.

Today’s Turkish Culture
Like most ancient cultures, the Turkish culture of today definitely isn’t what it used to be. Old traditions have died hard and new embroidery techniques have taken over. Rarely will you find woven textiles or other items that were made by hand using traditional weaving patterns. However, you’ll find true Turkish culture and color palates embedded into Turkish towels. These towels are made by hand looms and are crafted using old techniques and methods that allow for durable, luxurious, and long lasting Turkish towels.

If you want a little piece of Turkish flavor in your home, check out Turkish-t's hand loomed Turkish towels.

How are Fireworks Used Across the World?

Celebrate Good Times

Fireworks #1 (Photo credit: Camera Slayer)

Of course the main purpose of fireworks is as a means of celebration. Whether it be for a birthday party, or a general occasion such as a national holiday, for example, it is very regular to see fireworks used as the central focus of any party.
We looked at how fireworks are used in various countries around the world, and why they are significant.

Bonfire Night

The obvious one is in the United Kingdom, where every year on the 5th of November the foiling of the Gunpowder Plot is celebrated by burning an effigy and lighting fireworks. The burning of an effigy is perhaps a little sinister in the 21st Century, however Bonfire Night is a tradition that is looked forward to and enjoyed by almost everyone, except domestic animals who get very scared and withdrawn when they hear the at times ferocious noises!

United States

Although you might have thought that the biggest and best firework displays are reserved for American 4th of July celebrations, the biggest display in the country actually takes place at the opening of the Kentucky Derby racing festival.
Fireworks have been popular in the United States for many centuries, and their use can be traced back to the earliest settlers arriving in the country.
At Walt Disney resorts across the country, they use innovative fireworks that explode using compressed air rather than gunpowder. This enables them to produce much more spectacular displays and have a greater degree of control over the accuracy and timing of fireworks.

Japanese Festivals

If you love fireworks then I suggest you take a trip to Japan during the summer months. At this time of year fireworks are massively popular and demonstrations are held almost every day. There are over 200 fireworks displayed held in the month of August alone!
These public displays are basically street parties where everyone is invited. Many attract up to one million spectators, and there are many Japanese food stalls and other exciting things set up to enjoy.

Singapore

In Singapore, like in many Far Eastern countries, fireworks are popular the whole year round. However, their widest use is undoubtedly reserved for National Singapore Day, which falls in August of each year. Large public displays attract thousands of spectators and are often accompanied by other entertainment such as musicians, or made into fireworks “competitions” where teams compete to create the most awe inspiring display.

This article is written by Fireworks Crazy, an ecommerce website that supplies the best quality fireworks for that special occasion.

The Beauty of Natural Stone Tile

casing stone (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Natural stone has a long history of use throughout the world. Marble, granite and onyx architecture predates the birth of Christ. The Egyptian and Romans were some of the first to use mined stones throughout their cities and cultures alike. Not only were these natural stone elements used in homes but also to entomb some of their highest council.

Many times the terms of natural stone are confused with one another. This is especially true with marble, granite, quartz and onyx. Other natural stone terminology which is confusing includes travertine which is commonly thought of as being a manmade stone. Travertine is a limestone based natural element. It's formed around mineral springs, hot springs and caves including those at Yellowstone National Park. One of the largest areas of use for Travertine is Italy where it's often mined for construction of buildings. The world famous Colosseum is the largest building made entirely of travertine. It was built during the Roman Empire starting in 72 A.D. And took a total of 24 years to construct and modify for use as an Amphitheater.

Marble is another natural element that was made famous by the Roman Empire. This natural stone is also created from limestone which has been compressed over millions of years under extreme heat. Often the surrounding stone of an area of marble is influxed into the stone bed creating colored and veined marble. The Roman's used marble not just for flooring but also for ceilings. To find out more on the many possibilities of marble for floors or walls take a look in for a Houston Granite outlet or any other outlet in the local area.

Onyx is a type of quartz rock with traces of natural earth within it. This so called banded rock can come in many colors except for a few off colors such as purple or blue. Like veined marble, this stone can vary from region to region as the natural occurring effect makes it difficult to match. The Egyptians used onyx to produce bowls and utilitarian wares as early as the 3000 B.C. In today's world some of the most beautiful tiles available are onyx which have a natural translucent look all their own.

Limestone is mined and used throughout the world. This stone is susceptible to fossils and heavy color variations. Limestone has been used for thousands of years and its use in the Pyramids of Egypt attest to its ability to withstand time. Limestone is one of the first flooring to be used in what is known as heated floors. Early floors were heated through fire and vents that warmed thick blocks of stone. Like marble and other stone of natural beauty each mine produces its own color and type of limestone.

Granite is a natural stone which contains mostly quartz, mica and feldspar. Feldspar is what gives much of granite's pink coloring though it comes in many colors including gray. The Red Pyramids of Egypt is a testament to the beauty of pink hued granite. This structure predates the birth of Christ by 2600 years. The Great Pyramid of Giza is another Egyptian wonder with a very famous Sarcophagus in pink granite. Granite today is used in many commercial venues and is commonly used for gravestones. Other uses include counter tops which are now installed in many homes around the country. For more information on this and many other aspects of granite take a look in for a Houston Granite outlet or any other outlet with a knowledgeable staff.

There are many things to think of when looking at natural stone for the home. Maintenance on stone tiles can be easy if installed correctly and sealed. Stains, cracks and chipping are a few issues that must be looked after with this kind of tile. A rule of thumb to any natural stone is to buy at least 10% more than a project is called for. This will guarantee that any damage during installation or down the road can be matched to the tile already set in place.

Be careful of imitation stone tiles. These tiles are produced by either using crushed or powdered stone and resin or they are made entirely of a material other then stone itself. Those on a budget but wanting an elegant look of marble or natural stone can buy imitation tile for much less. Be sure to receive a guarantee from the store in which you buy the tile or from the professional installers who sold them. Take the time to do a little homework on this subject. Getting the correct answer first is important to achieve a positive outcome.

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Alan Parker Jnr is writing his very first E Book on the history of tiles. The history has made him want to take a career in teaching.

Birmingham's Cultural Heritage

In 2007, the Cabinet Minister for Leisure Sport and Culture introduced the Birmingham City Council Heritage Strategy in order to show people how rich its heritage really is. Libraries, public art, natural habitats and many other heritage assets have created an impressive track record of major projects over the last 20 years.
However, many issues still face Birmingham's unique heritage sites and the strategy was brought into place to recommend practical solutions to address some of these issues.
So if you are a self-proclaimed culture vulture or if indeed your travel buddies are, then look no further than Birmingham's world class art galleries, museums and collections to quench your thirst for knowledge...

Theatre

If you are a lover of theatre, The Alexandra's Edwardian setting stages a range of musicals, concerts and comedies. This summer you will be able to see the famous Legally Blonde the Musical and catch an evening in the company of Jonathan Creek's Alan Davis brilliant stand up in September.

Music

Birmingham also has a thriving music scene. Symphony Hall is often regarded as one of the finest in Europe and its stunning auditorium is the perfect place to enjoy your favourite jazz, folk, pop and world music.
It is also home to the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, so be sure to check out their tour dates before you plan your trip.

Ballet

If you are a ballet lover, the Birmingham Hippodrome is the place to be. This year has seen extraordinary performances from the Royal Ballet Company, including Coppelia, Aladdin, Swan Lake and this Christmas, Cinderella, so be sure to book your tickets in advance to make sure you don’t miss out.

Art

There is something for art lovers of every taste in Birmingham. The Barber Institute of Fine Art has an elaborate collection of traditional Old Masters including Rossetti, Monet, Degas and Rubens.
If you prefer more all-inclusive forms of art, you can get to know the artist's themselves at The Custard Factory- Birmingham's revolutionary new arts and media quarter. This unique district is comprised of a collection of multi-functional offices and studio space and from Birmingham Bead shop to the Sara Preisler Gallery, vintage clothing stores to the Ideal Skate Shop, it is an art lover's paradise.
Slightly further afield in West Bromwich, is The Public, a creative new community showcasing some of Birmingham's freshest new talent in entertainment. You can take in some comedy, try out a music workshop or see a movie all under one roof at this interactive exhibit.
There are many Hotels in Birmingham close to the city centre, which provide reasonably priced and comfortable surroundings for you to stay in whilst enjoying all Birmingham's culture scene has to offer.
Relax and enjoy a glass of wine in the bar after a long day of exploring, or order room service and plan tomorrow's adventures!
What are your favourite cultural activities in Birmingham?

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Catherine Halsey writes for a digital marketing agency on a range of subjects. This article links back to http://www.radissonblu.co.uk/hotels/united-kingdom/birmingham

Three Top Island Destinations

Many of us plan all year long for our awaited holidays and for some people, the thought of an island destination is exactly what we want and need. Sun, sea, beach, cocktails and general relaxation in the most beautiful surroundings are all of the ingredients for a perfect holiday. In this interesting travel article we look at three of the most beautiful island holiday destinations. They are all totally unique  in their offering and adventured and are from totally different parts of the world.

Top Island Holiday Destinations in the World

1. Mauritius

Mauritius is a spectacular, tropical island destination that offers all of the luxuries and beauty you would want from a relaxing holiday. It is situated in the amazing waters of the Indian Ocean and has French influences as it was a French colony. It also boasts a diverse culture with different relegions and traditions. It has a warm, topical climate and their white, picturesque beaches are lined with palm trees. This top island destination is known for its azure, clear, warm waters and is a great spot for diving or snorkelling. Mauritius has many incredible resorts and many travel agents offer great packages to this stunning island.

2. Malta

The island nation of Malta is a destination that differs tremendously from Mauritius. Malta is an island holiday destination situated in the tranquil waters of the Mediterranean Sea. Apart from the aesthetic beauty it boasts, it is immensely rich in culture and history. This island destination offers all of the charm of a European city but has the amazing, azure sea on its doorstep. They have an amazing array of museums, natural tourist sites and architectural wonders. This island destination would be an avid explorer or historian’s dream, as well as someone who just wants to sit back, relax and sip on a cocktail while basking in the beauty.

3. Hawaii

Another one of the best, tropical island, holiday destinations is Hawaii. Hawaii is an island destination that can offers the avid traveller anything their heart desires. From absolutely stunning, vegetation and expansive mountains, to the crystal blue Pacific Ocean, a humbling culture and all the entertainment in the world, Hawaii is an incredible island holiday destination to consider. Hawaii is an American state but still firmly holds onto its traditions and culture. Whether wanting to stay in a 5 star resort or a beach bungalow, this island destination has it covered. The nightlife in Hawaii is teeming and activities are endless.

   

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Jemma Scott is a freelance writer with an avid passion for travel and different destinations around the world. She writes about differing holidays, hotels such as Bugibba hotel in Malta and holiday packages.

Experience the World with Some Fantastic Freelance Careers

For most of us our responsibilities mean we have to remain in one city and do one job behind one desk in one office – unless we move to a new company, but then it’s the same thing. It’s for this reason that many people are looking at freelance careers as a way to live more flexible and varied lives. There are a few careers that give people the opportunity to travel and enjoy the finer things in life while earning a living. These are some great ideas for youngsters graduating who want to travel and make an income at the same time. It also means the subjects are more varied while offering an education in different cultures and networking.

Cruise Liners

This is one of the most popular careers opportunities that kids look at when they graduate. Because liners are self-contained they are equipped to employ everyone from dishwashers to doctors. The world is literally your oyster if you decide to work on a cruise liner. It’s a freelance career of sorts. You can work full-time, or you could be a freelance writer working on the liner’s newsletter. Freelance photographers also work on board sometimes to capture the cruises and passengers, while the freelancer notches up the money.

Teaching English

English is considered the business to learn if you want to do business on a global scale. Businessmen and women the world over often employ freelancers to teach them English, and very often their teachers are native English-speaking freelancers. So, if it’s your first language and your travel plans are set, then off you go. Embrace one of the best freelance careers and have fun.

Travel Writer

This is one of the most fantastic freelance career choices out there. Now that blogs are a dime-a-dozen many travellers find themselves updating their blogs everyday with their latest antics in some remote region of the world. It’s all down to advertising. If you can find tourism boards who would buy your work to boost their numbers then throw them some material on their coolest hotspots and see what the outcome is. It’s not a stable salary but what it loses in money it makes up for in some of the coolest experiences and places that many of us can only dream of.
If you feel you may not want to do this for fear of the irregular income and because you have commitments that require more security then it’s understandable that you don’t decide on any of the freelance careers that require travelling. However, if you’re young and want to see the world as well as build your portfolio; please go ahead because the rest of the world who have to remain at home forever need to live vicariously through someone.

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Vida Denning is a prolific writer who loves travel writing. She has done her fair share of writing while travelling and in some cases worked from office space in San Francisco and other major cities for clients.

Differences in Global Living

Differences in Global Living

Contemporary World Culture

Life Expectancy 2007 Estimates CIA World Factbook (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Globalization is characterized by global technological advancements and the “increasingly interconnected world and economic globalization” (Johnson, p. 10). According to June Johnson, author of Global Issues, Local Arguments, perspectives on globalization are often based on demographics such as where a person is from, where they currently live, their age, race, social class, etc. (p. 10). There are a multitude of differences between those who live in industrialized nations and those who reside in third world countries. Some of those differences are positive while some are negative. Some times the differences are simply differences.
Moving forward in time lives will transform with the environment around us. Some will improve while others have the possibility of remaining the same or degrading on some level. Looking at these differences and understanding them is a better way for everyone to understand global culture and globalization as a whole. There are many examples to chose from. We will discuss the differences between a Chinese farmer, a US software engineer, and an African parent in the year 2006. We will also speculate, with some researched substantiation, what life would be like for each of these individuals in fifty years time in the year 2056.

Globalization and Contemporary World Culture

Contemporary World Culture

Globalization is very controversial. Most recently, President Obama was speaking on the outsourcing of American jobs that are now being held by citizens in India. President Obama stated that they are not harming the American economy by taking jobs, but rather boosting the American economy by helping American producers to thrive. However, there are many who see globalization differently. Generally speaking, demographics tend to guide a person’s outlook on globalization. A person’s country in which they reside, their economic status, race, age, etc. tend to guide how an individual perceive globalization (Johnson).

Those who favor the spread of globalization stand on the idea that the sharing of economic developments, such as technology and modern knowledge, will help make the world a more productive place to live for everyone. By improving the standard of living for all humans the quality of life improves as well as the longevity of each life. Global trade enhances the world as a whole, by sharing products that would not otherwise be available to everyone in the world.

Those who oppose the spread of globalization state that benefits that are reaped from globalization are unevenly spread throughout only the financially superior countries. 

These are typically countries that have helped contribute to the knowledge and technology that is spread across the globe. The countries that are unable to assist with the spread of globalization are not only typically lower in economic status, but also do not benefit from the shared technology. This is not an accurate spread for true globalization because only the wealthy, industrialized countries will benefit. Many are also concerned about the potential for poorer people to be exploited, for example working sweatshops under poor, unsafe conditions, due to the spread of globalization. Also, encouraging consumerism also creates additional waste.

The homogenization of globalization will lower wages and prices to the consumer. However, the lower wages prevent people from being able to live a higher level of life which is often the goal of the “American dream.” Having foreign companies pay their employees cheaper wages saves the company money, thus allowing the company to pass along the savings to the customers. However, the lower wages for the employees prevent the economic and social growth for those individuals.

If companies took the road of keeping industrialization within US borders then the potential for growth for US citizens is increased. The higher wages that would be paid in the US would be provided to American workers. However, the company would be less likely to be able to afford lower prices to pass along to consumers. This would also decrease the growth for the individual company.

Consumerism is essentially the consistent use of products available. The over-consumption of products around the world leads to additional pollution everywhere. Consumerism has the potential to be limited if globalization was restricted. The spread of modern products would not be so widely spread, thus would decrease the amount of byproduct and waste as a result.

Immigration also contributes to the spread of globalization. Not only do the immigrants bring their ideas, products, and labor to other parts of the world, but they are also willing to work any job in order to survive in their new home. By working for lower wages, this directly impacts those who were originally being paid to do comparable work for higher wages. This is an ongoing issue that often comes up when immigrants, legal and illegal, move to the US. The idea of the immigrants taking jobs away from Americans is one that leaves a sour taste in many people’s mouths. This decreases the number of jobs available to American citizens. The same applies in Japan, China, or Germany. If immigrants move to that country and are willing to work for lower wages, this decreases the availability of work for citizens.

Nutrition is an interesting factor when looking at globalization. Many parts of the world are not able to grow foods that are needed for a healthy, balanced diet. Whether it is due to poor crop conditions, unpleasant weather conditions, lack of knowledge for growth, or any other reasoning that is not controllable, permitting globalization nutrition for many is dramatically improved. The spread of fruits that do not grow in the desert or grains that do not grow in colder regions can help drastically improve the quality of life for everyone.

Reference:

Johnson, June. Global Issues, Local Arguments: Readings for Writing. New York:

Custom Publishing, 2007.

AIDS Epidemic in Africa

Contemporary World Culture

As a parent living in Eritrea in the eastern part of Africa, life is often tiring and stressful. My wife and I have eight children ranging from ages newborn to twelve years old. We live in a modest hut near the edge of our village located in the Northern Red Sea sub-region. We married early and I now work as a fisherman to support our family. I trade some of the fish I catch in our village for vegetables and cloth in order to supply the family with other necessities.

In a typical day, I get up just before sunrise and head down to the Red Sea to meet by brothers and brother in-laws to begin our fishing for the day. My wife gets up at the same time and begins tending to the children. Once they are up, they pick berries and tend to other plants in our small vegetable garden. We eat primarily fish and vegetables, with some local berries that are available during some months of the year. They also go down to our local water source to replenish the buckets of water we have outside of our home. In regards to entertainment, we sing songs that are common to our culture and swim in the sea when fishing is done. Our family gets together with members of our extended family and together we have a feast. Our form of entertainment is definitely local, as we have very little technology in our part of the world, specifically our part of the country.

There are ongoing concerns about ethnic cleansing that is not targeted at my family directly, however it does impact us as we can often are caught in the crossfire. Those who are targeted for ethnic cleansing are the “Eritrean Red Sea Afars, an ethnic minority in with a nomadic life style” that are convinced the Eritrean government is behind the effort to exterminate them (Tekle). The Afars live south of my family in an area that is highly valuable in strategy for defense for the country as well as economic amenities (Tekle).

In addition to the internal conflict, Eritrea is constantly forced to protect their borders and waters from outside intruders. Most recently Yemen fishermen were captured while in Eritrean water territory. The Yemen foreign minister coordinated their release with President Isayas Afewerki and the Eritrean government (BBC October 19, 2010). The water is a valuable resource to Eritrea and it must be protected as much as the land.

Although there are many struggles my family and I endure, the most imminent concern is whether or not we have enough food for everyone. We have lost three of our children already to disease and lack of resources. Last year there was a shortage of food, however this year is much worse (BBC October 16, 2010). Food aid is not available to us this year so we will be reliant on what we can grow, trade, and fish for.

As our children get older, we worry about the widespread AIDS epidemic. In Eritrea, the region in which my family lives, the Northern Red Sea region, has the highest growth rate for AIDS in all of Eritrea (BBC October 13, 2010). My wife and I have been fortunate enough to have not contracted the virus, but as our children marry (some in a few years) we worry that they might find themselves with this disease. If they contract the disease, then so will our grandchildren. This will impact our family line and has the potential to eliminate our family tree.

References:

Digest of reports from Eritrea's Hadas Eritrea newspaper of 13 October. (15  October

2010). BBC Monitoring Africa. Retrieved October 27, 2010, from ProQuest Newsstand.

“Eritrea denies being hit by famine, starvation.” (16 October 2010). BBC Monitoring

Africa. Retrieved October 27, 2010, from ProQuest Newsstand.

“Eritrea releases 68 Yemeni fishermen.” (19  October 2010). BBC Monitoring Middle East. Retrieved October 27, 2010, from ProQuest Newsstand.

Johnson, June. Global Issues, Local Arguments: Readings for Writing. New York:

Custom Publishing, 2007.

Tekle, Tesfa-Alem Tekle.  (24  October 2010). Eritrea's exiled Afar opposition deny they

intend to secede. McClatchy - Tribune Business News, Retrieved October 27, 2010, from ProQuest Newsstand.

Life in the City

Contemporary World Culture

As a software engineer living in Seattle, Washington in 2006, life is comfortable. My family consists of my wife and our two children. My ancestors moved to the United States in the early 1900’s when many moved from Western Europe. As an Irish family, my ancestors struggled to gain any ground on their adjustment to the “land of opportunity.” As true with many immigrants, to my ancestors “Ellis Island was seen as a symbol of hope and opportunity for millions of immigrants” (DeWan). My family moved from the east coast to Seattle just after World War II in search of more opportunities.

An ordinary day involves my wife and I getting up each morning and preparing to go to work. Our children get ready for school, eat their breakfast, and catch the bus for school. My wife and I leave at the same time and head to work. Since I work as a software engineer, I spend most of my time using mental energy rather than physical energy. After work I head to the gym then head home. We have dinner as a family and then relax with a movie or television show before bed.

Generally speaking, we eat local foods daily. Asian food and fish, such as salmon, are common to our area. Japanese barbeque is also very popular in our area and is a family favorite (Food Notes). Seattle is not only a melting pot of different cultures from across the world, but also a melting pot of different styles of food. Japanese, Korean, Italian, German, Moldovan, and Mexican foods are just some of the popular restaurants in the area (Food Notes).

In order to provide products for our daily needs, we get in our family vehicle and drive to the local Fred Meyer or Costco. Here we can purchase any item such as food, cleaning supplies, electronics, etc. that we may need or want. Fred Meyer is very available in our area, as it is part of “one of the largest multi-regional supermarket retailers with $15 billion in sales” (Boley).

For entertainment my family often watches movies either at home or in the movie theater. We also attend concerts and sporting games, especially when the Seahawks are playing. Our forms of entertainment are very local. Not only do we watch many home games in Seattle, but we also watch mainstream movies that are common within the United States and western culture. College football is also very popular in our area, with the University of Washington Huskies often pitted against the Washington State University Cougars (Leonard). Another form of local entertainment is what our Pacific Science Center has to offer. There are often galactical presentations which are educational and interesting, as well as laser shows to modern and older styles of music. And for those who enjoy outside activities, there is always hiking, skiing, or snowboarding in the mountains, depending on the time of year (Leonard). They don’t call it the Evergreen State for nothing.

My greatest worry is finding myself unemployed. My two children are getting older and are in need of braces, school supplies, and eventually college tuition. Even though we have accumulated a modest savings, the economy is still in a rut and layoffs are always possible. In 2009, the unemployment rate was 7.2% and rising (Kearsley). Many politicians desire to increase taxes to fund programming, but many families are already stretched thin. The state of our economy is also concerning. Hopefully my job is secure enough for the time being.

References:

Boley, Rob.  (7  November). Fred Meyer, Quality Food Centers, and Ralphs Grocery

Company combine to create one of the largest multi-regional supermarket retailers with $15 billion in sales. PR Newswire,1.  Retrieved October 24, 2010, from ProQuest Newsstand.

DeWan, George. STAFF WRITER. (1999, January 26). Looking Back / The Century

1900 to 1910 / A Nation on the Go / In planes. In cars. And on steamships headed for Ellis Island. Series: Looking Back. The Century 1900 to 1910. As the 20th Century fades into history, here is the first of an occasional series that looks back, decade by decade, at the events and personalities of the 1900s :[ALL EDITIONS]. Newsday (Combined Editions), p. B06. Retrieved October 23, 2010, from Newsday.

FOOD NOTES :[FINAL Edition]. (1993, January 20). Seattle Post - Intelligencer,p. c3.

Retrieved October 23, 2010, from ProQuest Newsstand.

FOOD NOTES :[FINAL Edition]. (1993, November 17). Seattle Post –

Intelligencer,p. C4.  Retrieved October 24, 2010, from ProQuest Newsstand.

Johnson, June. Global Issues, Local Arguments: Readings for Writing. New York:

Custom Publishing, 2007.

Kearsley, Kelly. (2009, February 25). State jobless numbers still climbing. The News

Tribune,A.1. Retrieved October 22, 2010, from ProQuest Newsstand.

Leonard, Tara. (18 March). This Week's Arts and Entertainment Guide / Coming Up.

McClatchy - Tribune Business News. Retrieved October 24, 2010, from ProQuest Newsstand.

Information on child labour

Contemporary World Culture

Child labour information

Sweatshops are an ongoing issue for companies that make billions off of the sweat and hard work of people who are poorly compensated for their work. There are many retailers that I do not shop at for a variety of reasons, sweatshops being one of them. However, when it comes to the lower cost stores, I find myself in a struggle. Due to the economy, I struggle financially and feel forced in a sense to shop at stores, such as Walmart, for products that I need. The battle comes when I think about how poorly the workers who create the products are treated as well as the employees in the stores. I need to purchase essential items for my survival and comfort, but at what cost? My internal struggle is never ending.

Walmart is notorious for treating their workers poorly. Often they are underpaid and have little or not benefits. They are also treated disproportionately and are often discriminated against due to race, gender, legal status, etc. However, the low prices that Walmart offers fuels its success and “feeds the beast.” Indian shrimp companies are not much different, although the struggle of their workers is much more evident. Many of the workers, often times female, work under horrid conditions that jeopardize their health. Unfortunately, many of them are often held against their will to work long hours in these dilapidated conditions (p.43).

Regardless of the type of product we are purchasing, whether it’d be a pair of jeans, a comic book, or food such as shrimp, the source can often be the same. This is what matters, not what the end result is. If a sweatshop is utilized to create products that we purchase, we have a responsibility to at the very least know this. As individuals, if we still decide to purchase items, as I often do, ethically I believe we should at least know that they are or could be the product of a sweatshop or other insufferable production conditions. If we still chose to purchase the item for whatever reason, so be it. But we at least owe it to the workers to acknowledge their hard work and struggles.

Reference:

Johnson, June. Global Issues, Local Arguments: Readings for Writing. New York:

Custom Publishing, 2007.

Culture of the World

Contemporary World Culture: Cultural differences

As a Chinese farmer, there are not many luxuries in life. We live a meager living, my seven children, my wife, and I. We have a small plot of land we grow crops on and raise a few sheep, a few chickens, and two goats on. My family and I live in the western part of China, where farms are more common. The closest major city is many weeks’ walk away, and many hours by motor vehicle if we should be so lucky. Our food we grow ourselves. We also have livestock and crops to trade at the local market for other necessities, like clothing and blankets. We also have sheep in order to get wool to trade for these items. Our household items consist of a few blankets to sleep with and a few pots to cook our food in over a fire.

Each day we get up just before dawn, myself and our oldest five children. We begin feeding the livestock and prepare ourselves for the days work. My wife stays inside with the two youngest children, tending to them and to the needs just outside the home. My children and I begin to work on the fields, ensuring that the crops are doing well and that there are no animals or pests destroying them. We work from dawn until dusk, which is when we first eat for the day. There is not much food to go around, so my wife and I eat once a day, while the children eat in the morning and in the evening. Our main staple is rice, but we also have eggs from the chickens and any rabbits we may find on our land.

There is no time for entertainment most days. But when we do have time to celebrate we sing and draw pictures in the ground. We tell stories of legends and our ancestors, passing along the knowledge that we have. Our entertainment is very local to our people. We would like our children to get an education, but we are not educated ourselves and are too poor to send our children to a real Chinese school where they can learn to read and write.

As a farmer in China, my greatest worry is ensuring there are enough supplies for basic needs to take care of my family. Making sure there is enough food for everyone and hoping that no one falls ill, because we cannot afford a doctor and the nearest one is very far away. Another fear is that of natural disaster. If there is a natural disaster, such as torrential rains, then the crops we harvest will be ruined and my family will have no way to eat or purchase other items we need. One immediate concern is the increased popularity of the Chinese lanterns which are a great threat to our crops and our livestock. Many livestock have eaten the casings for these lanterns which are ignited for celebrations. This has resulted in their death and ultimately is our loss. Also, wires from these lanterns have caused injuries to livestock, and some deaths as well. (Lavigueur).

References:

Johnson, June. Global Issues, Local Arguments: Readings for Writing. New York:

Custom Publishing, 2007.

Lavigueur, Nick. (2010, July 3). “Farmers demand ban on Chinese lanterns :Livestock

injured by wires and fire risk to crops.” Huddersfield Daily Examiner,27. Retrieved October 17, 2010, from ProQuest Newsstand.

Different culture in the world

Contemporary World Culture

New world culture

By definition, globalization is “the increasing interconnectedness of all parts of the world in terms of communication, trade, business, politics, travel, and culture” (Johnson). Many items are founded within western culture, predominantly American within pop culture. The historical basis of items such as fast food, movies, televisions, and music are often linked back to American culture. Although many different cultures and countries have their own music, mainstream music is often linked to what is popular in America. Since these modern elements of culture often begin in America and spread throughout a large portion of the world, it is easy to see how many people believe that an item’s history and origin label it as “American” (Johnson).

The origin of an item, such as the fast food restaurant McDonalds, is not overlooked even when the restaurants are spread throughout the world. In the 1970’s McDonalds began to spread to other countries, carrying with them the idea of American fast food service and products. Even though the menu may vary from location to location, the origin from which it was founded maintains consistent and does not go unnoticed. The logo itself is what people view as the spread of Americanization across the globe. Although the individual restaurants may be very different, the recognition of the Golden Arches is what makes people believe that America is spreading.

Not only food and restaurants carry over from American culture to other nations. Movies and television shows also carry over. The Simpsons, for example, are played in many other countries, predominantly in Western Europe. This is a show that has been long running and has significant American ties to it. Many of the newer episodes tackle American politics and social issues. Not only is the origin of The Simpsons tied to the US, but the ongoing messages throughout the shows also reminds the viewers that this is an American show and is part of America. And this is just one example of visual media that is shown worldwide that is linked to America.

Music is definitely a component that can be linked back to a specific part of the world. In the US, rap music is quite popular and has spread throughout the world. Other types of music have strong roots in other countries, such as pop in the UK and heavy metal in Germany. However, rap music has evolved from America. The spread of this style of music can be linked back to the difficulties minorities have faced within the American poverty-stricken subcultures, and even further roots into the dark slave days in America. This type of music is played across the world, with many concert tours going overseas.

Looking at food/dining, visual entertainment, and audio entertainment, it is easy to see how many believe that the American culture is the head of globalization. The financial support to push American products across the world is often unmatched by other companies founded in other countries. However, when looking at the specific data the facts show a different angel. American pop culture has spread rather rapidly across the world since the 1950’s. But we must look at how in the last decade “Europe’s top companies have beaten America’s by an often substantial margin” (Theil). The growth of European companies in regards to exports has increased approximately 17% while for the US exports have decreased 11%. “America’s roster of large global companies has been mostly static and declining” (Theil).

From a social aspect it appears that American culture is the leader of globalization. However, when looking at concrete data that is not the case. According to Marling, “globalization is not as American as we think it is. It’s just that everyone, especially Americans, recognizes American films, language, and logos when abroad, and draws the conclusion that the world is becoming Americanized.” Marling goes on to say:

“US logos are taken as evidence of cultural imperialism. WE all see Visa, McDonald’s, KFC, Coke, and Walmart. Mickey Mouse grins at us in France and Japan. Bruce Willis frowns from billboards and posters. CSI: Miami and Everybody Loves Raymond appear on the hotels’ cable channel. The taxi drivers and hotel employees speak a little English. All this seems part of a creeping ‘Americanization.’”

Essentially what Marling is trying to point out is that we associate certain logos, faces, titles, etc. with American culture, however there are many differences that make this spread of global culture not solely American. Modern culture is spreading across the globe, not just American culture. Modern culture is fueled by industrialized nations, such as those found in Europe, Australia, and North America. All of these geographical locations fuel globalization. However, it appears that most of the world sees America as the main fuel behind the spread.

one world culture
culture around the world

References:

Johnson, June. “Global Issues: Local Arguments, Reading for Writing, Custom Edition.

New York: Custom Publishing, 2007.

Marling, William H. How “American” Is Globalization? Baltimore: The Johns Hopkins

University Press, 2006.

Theil, Stefan. (2010, April). “Why Europe Will Win :Forget the conventional wisdom.

European firms are faster-growing, more profitable, and better at globalization than their American rivals.” Newsweek, 155(17). Retrieved October 3, 2010, from ProQuest Health Management. 

 
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