Global Village - a Concept Originated by Marshall McLuhan

The term “global village,” a concept originated by Marshall McLuhan, was to convey his perception of an electronic sensory system amalgamating the planet. He believed that technology was shrinking the world to a point that communication was as instantaneous as everyone living in the same small village. Simply put, a global village is the concept of many countries being so closely connected by the same entity that they are economically, politically, socially and environmentally reliant on one another. The most obvious example of a global village is technology itself.

In the last thirty years, technology has expanded to unbelievable heights; it has virtually formed its own culture. The advancement in digital technologies made it possible for us to witness, and participate, in one of the most important revolutions in the history of mankind. Due to these advancements, we could interact with almost any person on the planet, instantly. Governments and companies relied on this technology to better their foreign relations, to secure contact with foreign correspondents, and communicate with individuals both nationally and internationally. Technology quickly became the network of the world, essentially shrank the globe into a small community.

Another concept exhibited as a “global village” would be international trade. Countries have traded products for centuries, but as time has passed and technology has connected us, it is now much easier. Travel to China from the U.S would take one full day by airplane, and two weeks to a month for a cargo ship. Centuries ago, this type of trade would not be possible. Companies have begun to outsource jobs to China and even build companies there. They communicate with each other through the internet now instead of postal mail. This type of technology and change is exactly what Mr. McLuhan was describing as a global village. When countries that seemed worlds apart communicate instantly, trade products within days or weeks, and invest in one another’s foreign nations in hopes of making a profit, they have become reliant on one another as if neighbors in a village borrowing sugar.

• Identify diffusion and give two examples of types of diffusion that spread global culture.

Diffusion is the process by which a business or cultural idea, innovation, or characteristic spreads from one place to another. Cultural diffusion is the spread of cultural beliefs