Americanization

I hear a lot about this from a lot of people from different countries whom I talk to.

My question to everyone here, is American culture becoming world culture?

Why is American culture so seductive where countries, such as China, have to block US corporate influence?

Is unhealthy lifestyle, American lifestyle?

And my final question, in your opinion, is American culture a good thing?

My question to everyone here, is American culture becoming world culture?

Some of its aspects yes, but not it in its entirety.

Why is American culture so seductive where countries, such as China, have to block US corporate influence?

In countries like China, probably because it's so much free'er,
and not state coontrolled everything.

Is unhealthy lifestyle, American lifestyle?

I think it's a distinctly American thing, atleast to the extreme we
take it.
I'm assuming your reffering to the obesity epidemic, and eating
foods that are very bad for the body.

Is American culture a good thing?

Parts of it, yes, but there are other parts that are not.

Originally posted by RetinoidReceptor
Why is American culture so seductive where countries, such as China, have to block US corporate influence?

Can you elaborate on this? Blocking US corporate influence in China is a form of economic protectionism - nothing to do with culture. Do you have anything other than this to support your contention that American culture is becoming world culture? And specifically which aspects of American culture are you referring to? Western cultures have a hell of a lot in common as it is, so you 'll need to be specific.

American culture? That's a new one for me. It's more like collection of stereotipes and exagerations.

Originally posted by RetinoidReceptor
Is unhealthy lifestyle, American lifestyle?

Oh, absolutelly. I would even call it a killer.

Originally posted by RetinoidReceptor
I hear a lot about this from a lot of people from different countries whom I talk to.

My question to everyone here, is American culture becoming world culture?

Why is American culture so seductive where countries, such as China, have to block US corporate influence?

Is unhealthy lifestyle, American lifestyle?

And my final question, in your opinion, is American culture a good thing?

Q1. I hope American culture is not becoming world culture.I'm not saying that to be a bad thing. I like the way we are all differant. If we all start being the same. It would be real boring.
Q2. Any lifestyle can be unhealthy when done to excess.
Q3. I got to say this is a hard one. American culture is a good thing when we follow the constitution and the bill of rights. It is when we stray away from them that it becomes a very bad thing.

I hope this is what you were wanting to hear.

Originally posted by RetinoidReceptor
My question to everyone here, is American culture becoming world culture?

America was on it's way to becoming a Monoculture, but then something happened in the Early nineties. The Saudi's asked for military assitance from the US Gov't and received it, pissing Bin Laden off and setting this whole chain of events into play which has hit the US rep extremely hard over the past five years.

Why is American culture so seductive where countries, such as China, have to block US corporate influence?

China and the Chinese want to become more like us. Their economic protectionist policies are not cultural. Did you know that the Chinese are making carbon copies of entire famous Western neighborhoods(picutre of Caucasian family on the mantle included) over there?

www.boingboing.net...

"Soho, Central Park, Palm Springs and Manhattan Gardens."

Is unhealthy lifestyle, American lifestyle?

N. American lifestyle is unhealthy, definately.

And my final question, in your opinion, is American culture a good thing?

Depends on which aspect you are asking about. Their popular culture leaves a lot to be desired. Their Intellectual Academic culture is still quite enviable though.

Can you elaborate on this? Blocking US corporate influence in China is a form of economic protectionism - nothing to do with culture. Do you have anything other than this to support your contention that American culture is becoming world culture? And specifically which aspects of American culture are you referring to? Western cultures have a hell of a lot in common as it is, so you 'll need to be specific.

Of course it is a form of economic protectionism, but why would they need it if American culture was not seductive? That is what I was trying to get at.

What aspects am I referring to? Music, Movies, Food?

Western cultures do have a lot in common, but why is that?

Does the US have Australian food corporations, and movies made in the UK making it big? Or is it the other way around.

Aspects of American culture can be found throughout the world. The same can be said of our technology. No one likes to admit this because its cool to hate America since we're the big bad wolf all of a sudden, but most of the cultural transferance occured in the 20th century.

i don't think america is changing the english speaking world any different to what it was say pre-WW2.

therefore 'americanization' can't be too bad, the only fault i have with it are 'movies' hollywood film directors teach us world history differently than how they actually happened.

1) (when we were soliders), if nobody knew about vietnam war before anyone would think the US won and every vietnam film that as ever been made the america's won the battle at the end, or it ends with them cheering going WHoooooo.

2) (the patriot) - american farmers chasing the british to the coastline by themselfs, when actual fact britian was at war with america/france/spain/holland during the revolutionary period.

2) (saving private ryan) WW2, but no mention of any country ALL THE WAY THROUGH THE FILM except america and the germans

and theres many more 'fiction' like america singlehandedly saving the world from aliens (independence day), rambo wiping out the russians on 2 occastions BY HIMSELF.
etc.

television is a big part of a culture today, therefore hollywood directors should have a duty to teach us the 'TRUTH' about real history, fiction doesn't bother me too much (i was having a mess about above).

but please hollywood stop making films where america saves the day all the time, i'm sick of seeing it - make a film where godzilla is running through norway or something



[edit on 15-9-2006 by st3ve_o]

America bashing aside, I can only speak from my experiences as an american who as traveled and lived abroad extensively.

I would say that to understand what american culture is would be very important. As for what is or is not a healthy lifestyle all nations have there flaws when it comes to the health of their citizenry. We certainly have quite a few from obesity to precocious puberty, which truly is not only an american problem, but other nations and other cultures do their bit wether it be legalized under aged prostitution (either legal or sanctioned by government inaction) to smoking and the marketing of cigarettes etc.

Nobodies perfect as an American I'll be the first to admit we have our flaws but stones and glass houses people.

Do you really think Cuba is truly a communist paradise or that Mexico has it's population/homeless/heathcare problems under control?

As for is there any american culture? Yes America has culture, we have in fact perfected the most influential type of culture of the 20th century and what most likely will continue to be the big thing for the next half of this century and that culture is simply POP culture.

Movies and television are our art. Yes it's an art shared around the world and there are certainly some fantastic film makers around the world but the mass market most common denominator fluff the POP that's us.

Like it or not for better or worse there may be a lot of things you hate about america but right now as we speak theres a man in Thailand watching an episode of the Simpsons and there's someone in Bolivia watching an episode of Buffy.

And of course not just television but everything from music to the ultimate achievement of a POP culture state the export of celebrity. Not celebrities but the concept of celebrity.

Paris Hilton...societal air head with the morals of a cat on a coke binge. Famous. Why? Well I have no idea. If she were Paris Green she'd just be the anonymous not too ugly not too pretty cockeyed girl on youtube giving her boyfriend a "hitherehowareya". But since she's a Hilton and decided to do absolutely nothing useful with her life she got a PR agent and voila celebrity.

And you can't blame that all on america. Andy Worhol may have started it by turning a soup can into a work of art but the world seems to want it.

MTV, Coca-cola, Harley-Davidson, Playboy, Rap music, the list goes on and on.

So say what you want but it's economics supply and demand plain and simple. If the world didn't want it we wouldn't export it.

As to why is it so seductive, as mentioned previously it's the anything is possible attitude. People see what they see and they assume the menu is the meal. Which of course it isn't, but hey America is always more powerful as a concept.

It's like the Tropics. You can just go up to anyone at anytime and just say the generic word Tropics and they'll go all calm and whistful. Thinking of a palm tree and a sunset on the beach...the concept of the tropics is lovely.

Till you get there and it's four days of sand in your nethers, mosquitos the size of box cars and rumours of a rebellion either just before or just after the midnight buffet.

So the concept of the limitless freedoms of america the anything goes anythings possible the perfect life is there for the taking...it's an alluring concept and recurring theme in a lot of the movies and shows that are produced and sold around the globe the reality of course is far different.

Just my opinion of course. But if people didn't love POP they wouldn't suck it down like yummy american made candy.

Pax Americana my babies.

Spiderj

Americanization. Such a dirty word. there was a time when i wanted to move there... that was 10 years ago.

America is seen as the personification of lack of morality and the ever spiraling out of control issues of pornography, depravity and greed.

I cant wait till America does finally finish crumbling and another country with a REAL culture (not a hacked, hodge podge stolen version.. or "history starts in 1776")
Watching America go down is like watching a 45 minute comedic death frame by frame.

Originally posted by donk_316
America is seen as the personification of lack of morality and the ever spiraling out of control issues of pornography, depravity and greed.

I cant wait till America does finally finish crumbling and another country with a REAL culture (not a hacked, hodge podge stolen version.. or "history starts in 1776")
Watching America go down is like watching a 45 minute comedic death frame by frame.

Whoa! When did we start exporting that

As for enjoying the show that sounds pretty spiteful to me. I Don't know many americans who enjoy watching others suffer that doesn't sound very canadian either. We may be ignorant of the suffering of others around the world but we certainly don't experience joy when we hear about it.

With all respect I don't know what makes you think we're in trouble as a country.

We're not having a great time at the party right now but things will change if midterm elections go well and the chance of the republicans landing anyone in the whitehouse next go round is slim to none. So I wouldn't count us out just yet.

Never confuse a governement with it's people. I don't think there are many americans who think North Korean people are bad but I think most americans don't hold a lot of love toward Kim Jung Ill.

Americans are a good lot, we may be scary but we may also end up leading the way to a better tomorrow. Bush is not america he's just a temp.

If we were really as bad as everyone thinks I believe Mexico would have a bit more of an imigration problem.

And while I love Thailand I don't know that I would hold it up as a moral leader. But again thats the Thai government not the people.

IMO of course and as always.

Spiderj

Originally posted by donk_316
Americanization. Such a dirty word. there was a time when i wanted to move there... that was 10 years ago.

Is that when you were 3?

America is seen as the personification of lack of morality and the ever spiraling out of control issues of pornography, depravity and greed.

We may be seen as that, but the rest of the world is experiencing it as well. Or do you not focus on world issues?

I cant wait till America does finally finish crumbling and another country with a REAL culture (not a hacked, hodge podge stolen version.. or "history starts in 1776")

haha

Originally posted by RetinoidReceptor
I hear a lot about this from a lot of people from different countries whom I talk to.

My question to everyone here, is American culture becoming world culture?

Why is American culture so seductive where countries, such as China, have to block US corporate influence?

Is unhealthy lifestyle, American lifestyle?

And my final question, in your opinion, is American culture a good thing?

I am Canadain and I don't like american culture. It is too materilistic and the social condition it forms encoureges to much greed. Also the american life style is way to wastfull. Canada is very simular to the U.S. and I don't like it here either. I would move to japan but, it is too expencive there, and the work rush is to stressful. So, as far as I can see it, there really is no county that much better then the U.S. But, american culter becomeing world culture is a bad thing becuase, there will be no varyation in life style. Thus stopping/slowing culture evolution. This will then decrees the chance of a better lifestyle/culture from forming.

If theres one country that has been heavily influenced by American culture, it's Japan so you should just erase Japan from your memory.

Originally posted by RetinoidReceptor
Of course it is a form of economic protectionism, but why would they need it if American culture was not seductive? That is what I was trying to get at.

You have to be specific about what cultural aspects you are talking about. E.g. Chinese people want cars, and General Motors wants a piece of the Chinese market, so they set up ops in China. But in order to do so they must make agreements with the Chinese government concerning employing locals, tax they pay, numbers of Chinese in upper management, pricing restrictions, tarrifs, and on it goes. This is about the Chinese government protecting its economy and protecting local interests, it is not about Chinese people being seduced by American culture or the Chinese government being afraid of such. Cars are no more American culture than the light bulb is - it is an invention that that developing countries need and want. And in China, GM is positively trounced by the German car manufacturers anyway.

What aspects am I referring to? Music, Movies, Food?

Music? True to an extent. This has a lot to do with population and development of the music industry. America has a huge population and a factory-like music industry which churns out so much more than everybody else, so it's only natural that a large proportion of the music available is American. Not so long ago it was the UK which had the healthiest and most internationally influential music industry. But in Australia for example, where we have less population than some American states, the amount of music played on the radio is probably only 30% American, and even then that's only the bubblegum pop stations. But how is listening to music culture? I listen to classical music by dead German composers, so does that mean I'm absorbing absorbing 19th century German culture? Should I start wearing a powdered wig? We even have a small number of folks who listen to rap music on Oz, but we don't have gang-bangers, Chrome Humvees and 18" spinnas in Australia, so no Americanisation going on there.

Movies is the same as music - it's simply a matter of how much the industry pumps out. But just because we watch American movies doesn't mean we're seduced by the culture or being Americanised.

And food? Are you kidding? lol...

Western cultures do have a lot in common, but why is that?

Because may of them originated from Great Britain? Because there is constant interaction and cooperation between the nations in question?

Does the US have Australian food corporations,

Again, this is about economics and trade, not about culture. The States has the strongest economy in the world, so it's only natural they will dominate in certain areas. Just because my cereal is made by an American-owned company doesn't mean I'm Americanized with every bite. But in fact, the majority of our goods (and yours) come from Asia, does that mean we are being "Asianized".

I think the problem is you're not quite certain what American culture is. And so you're assuming everything is American culture and originated in the US, while everyone else plays catch-up or something.

I think we need a definition of culture. These senses seem to fill the bill for our forum.

4 a : enlightenment and excellence of taste acquired by intellectual and aesthetic training b : acquaintance with and taste in fine arts, humanities, and broad aspects of science as distinguished from vocational and technical skills

5 a : the integrated pattern of human knowledge, belief, and behavior that depends upon the capacity for learning and transmitting knowledge to succeeding generations b : the customary beliefs, social forms, and material traits of a racial, religious, or social group; also : the characteristic features of everyday existence (as diversions or a way of life) shared by people in a place or time c : the set of shared attitudes, values, goals, and practices that characterizes an institution or organization d : the set of values, conventions, or social practices associated with a particular field, activity, or societal characteristic

Originally posted by RetinoidReceptor
My question to everyone here, is American culture becoming world culture?

US culture is the dominant cultural force on the planet. The most commonly known icon on the planet is Coca-Cola. American music is virtually alone on the international stage the only other nation that could claim such a presence would be the UK

Originally posted by RetinoidReceptor
Why is American culture so seductive where countries, such as China, have to block US corporate influence?

Why is american culture so seductive? I think it has alot to do with how our country is perceived by other nations.

Katherine Harris
when people look at america they see money and sex

That could have something to do with it.

Different parts of the world react differently to American cultural influence. Most barriers to American cultural "imperialism" have been erected in Europe(France inparticular). While American culture can pretty much run wild in East Asia.

Originally posted by RetinoidReceptor
Is unhealthy lifestyle, American lifestyle?

When it comes to burgers and porn yes. But take a gander at Russian drink culture and you'll see something far nastier and not nearly as enjoyable.

originally posted by RetinoidReceptor
And my final question, in your opinion, is American culture a good thing?

Quoting another public figure Pat Buchanan summed up American pop culture as

the good the bad and the ugly

And I say if people outside the US don't want American culture then don't buy it. the only reason we're selling is because your buying.

Originally posted by Akraites
If theres one country that has been heavily influenced by American culture, it's Japan so you should just erase Japan from your memory.

True Japan does have some aspects of American culture, but all in
all Japanese culture is its own unique entity.

The only real obvious American cultural artifacts prevelant in Japanese
culture are Baseball and our fast-food establishments.

[edit on 9/16/2006 by iori_komei]

Skipping through the first half of "The Clash of Cultures" by Samuel P. Huntington, you will find that very question answered with a clear "no". Cultures adapt to some foreign influences as long they fit into their world scheme, yet reject other parts of that culture. For example, drinking Coca Cola has nothing to do with your being buddhist, muslim or christian: as long as it tastes good, why not enjoy it? But that is not a sign that american culture has "won" over that other culture (or americanized it), because you can't export "freedom and democracy" (for example) in bottles. Having a few sushi restaurants in New York doesn't equal "japanization" either :-)

Sure, American pop is predominant (at least in the western world, especially in post-war Germany), but signs can be seen that it's already declining...