Global Exchange

I've been checking out this site, Global Exchange, per the recommendation of a reliable source:). I love the message it promotes. I love it's purpose and it's vision.

Global Exchange is a membership-based international human rights organization dedicated to promoting social, economic and environmental justice around the world.

We envision a people centered globalization that values the rights of workers and the health of the planet; that prioritizes international collaboration as central to ensuring peace; and that aims to create a local, green economy designed to embrace the diversity of our communities.

However (of course there is always a however), I'm not 100% convinced this community of people has all the answers. While I am passionate about obtaining "social, economic and environmental justice," I feel like the site is somewhat one-sided and slides into conspiracy theory group think. Don't get me wrong, they ought to be commended for their efforts and noble convictions, but I get the feeling that sometimes people get so caught up in their mission they never stop asses the situation correctly or to find the right cure.

I am reminded of Confessions of an Economic Man by John Perkins which was an engaging and disturbing read, but more than likely exaggerated account of evil corporate America and government.

That said, there's a lot to read over at Global Exchange, so go visit. There's a lot of pondering to do. What is truth and myth when it comes to globalization?

Globalization = Americanization, or does it?

According to the folks over at the Freaknomics Blog, globalization does not equal world domination of the English language. Thank you. It's about time people realize this. This is something that I'm super passionate about researching/studying. In today's age, language (and culture by the way) is alive! I honestly believe that America, The West, and even the English language is not steam-rolling the rest of the world.

I especially like Christian Rolling's take on the future of language and globalization:

Rudimentary English might still be the most convenient means of oral or written communication between strangers of different cultures on planet Earth, but globalization is giving a new (virtual) planetary presence to hundreds of languages and cultures through millions of Web sites, mixing text and videos.

The big loser? Grammar

Amen. Right on. The world: thriving & inventive. Internet users: grammar ignoramuses. Take a peek, What Will Globalization Do to Languages? A Freakonomics Quorum

Poor McDonald's

Ok, so this is about the best website ever. I just wrote an entire 15 paper paper on the branding strategies of McDonald's (actually not condemning them, but praising them for their igenuity). But anyway, you HAVE to play this McDonald's Video Game. It is soooo funny. And sad.

Go here. And even more funny that it is structured like McDonald's corporate website. I think zapping the sick cows is my favorite part.

Globalization

Nicole and I got back from our globalization conference in Bloomsburg on Thursday and Friday. We went to with our English seminar class that is pretty cool group of people. I am really excited about the topic I wrote about for my paper--that is branding and culture and globalization. I thought after I presented, people would attack me since my ideas are often from a different perspective than most others in the academic arena, but actually people seemed to respond quite well. This made me very happy. I actually enjoyed the conference even though I lost many many hours of sleep for it. How exciting the topics of globalization are! PS. That didn't sound quite so nerdy in my head.