This is the new culture

Every place on every street
Same music and news all in a fleet
People singing the same old songs
A global anthem where everyone belongs
OC, Heroes, Lost & Prison Break
Playing all over the world without a break
It’s the same culture, same exposure, same everything
Even the tunes of Coldplay and Linkin Park ring
No more the tunes of Chan Mali Chan,
Not even the good old Hokkien rant
No more traditional Hindi dances on air
Just more Simpsons and ads on hair
No more traditional board games
Only Brad Pitt or Ronaldo photo frames

This is the new culture
The global culture
Where everyone sings to the same tunes
Where tradition is in ruins
Where everyone watch the same things
And wear the same rings

The TV something small but how it relieves
The tool that shapes lives
It is a juggernaut changing the way we learn
The way we live, the way we are
One flick of the control
Our lives at its control
Changing our opinions
Changing our values
Changing our lives
Good or bad?
You decide.

This is the new culture
The global culture
Where everyone sings to the same tunes
Where tradition is in ruins
Where everyone watch the same things
And wear the same rings

Thoughts:
Today in the world, there is a new global culture. The whole wide world is wired and plugged into the TV programmes, movies, news, music, lifestyles and entertainment of the West. Satellite cables, phones, walkmans, VCDs, DVDs and retail giants and other marvels and wonders of entertainment technology are creating the mass marketing of culture. All over the world people of all ages are exposed to the same music from Coldplay, Linkin part, the same news, sitcoms like F.R.I.E.N.D.S, drama series like “Heroes” and “The OC” and the same glamorous lifestyle.
Young people the world over aspire for the kind of adult relationships found in ‘Friends’. The penetration of global music has resulted in the marginalisation of traditional music among cultures the world over. Today, pop music and its local variations can be heard in all social settings from weddings to religious festivals and birthday celebrations. Young people have lost touch with traditional harmonies and traditional tunes are no longer heard. Even in Singapore, only the older generations listen to songs in Hokkien, Cantonese and other dialects. The young people only listen to the likes of Jason Mraz and Usher.

This is the new culture, the global culture which has everyone do the same things. Everyone all around the world, sing and listen to the same songs, watch the same shows and movies, read the same news and even eat the same food.
The TV is another tool which is largely involved in the globalization of culture. It has become an immovable juggernaut. It shapes lifestyles and values and fills the vacuum emptied by the pervasive collapse of traditional institutions, communities, clans, family, life, and authority.

This global culture is a reality, good or bad? You decide.

Labels: James