McWorld

McWorld is a term used to describe the spreading of the McDonald's around the world as a result of globalization. An American born restaurant that has become the most world re noun fast-food joints, and has epitomized the term efficiency. McDonald's has restaurants in 119 different countries and all of them have adapted to the different cultures in which they are immersed. For example, I went to a McDonald's in Oahu, Hawaii and their menu was much different than mainland America. All of their combos came with pineapple, and some other alternatives to fries were spam, a whole mango, or well more pineapple. Their menu also excluded several items that the mainland McDonald's usually have such as the fish sandwich, the McGriddle, and apple pies. This is a great example of how McDonald's mold their products to the demands of their local consumer. Even within the same country! More exotic McDonald's drastically change their menus to unrecognizable degree, such as in India where they serve no beef, and more vegetarian cuisine (Wikipedia).

Although they have set the bar high for fast, efficient service, McDonald's is also associated with a not so great reputation. In the 2004 blockbuster hit Super size Me, McDonald's was exposed for being a corporation that has for decades supported American obesity rates and unhealthy nutrition. Could the spreading of the McDonald's culture also change the nutritional statistics of other countries?

Jihad vs. McWorld, a book written by political scientist Benjamin R. Barber, discusses the cultural effects of the globalization of McDonald's. Jihad is the symbol used to portray the cultural traditions and values of the countries in which McDonald's has planted it's roots. Although McDonald's does attempt to adapt to its surrounding, the corporation is an American born restaurant who still, at it's core, is defined by it's American business practices, culture, and values. This could pose a threat to a country's roots and ultimately cast a shadow over the diversity that that country adds to the global community. Thomas Friedman, the author of The World Is Flat, would describe this as America slowly driving it's Lexus over a McDonald's victims olive tree.

What are your feelings about McDonald's?

Which side would you take, the McWorld or the Jihad?

After reading about Super size Me, would you reconsider your food choice?

Wu-tang Clan(s)

Quoted from the wu-tang clan's wikipedia "The name "Wu-Tang" is derived from the name of the holy mountain Wu Dang (Wudang Shan) in northwest Hubei Province in central China with long history associated with Chinese culture, especially Taoism, martial arts and medicine; it was also the site of the Ming Dynasty Purple Imperial City built during the reign of the Yongle Emperor in the early 15th century." the best songs from the wu-tang clan and wu-tang clan affiliates. take for example (if its these videos are still on youtube) liquid swords, weak spots, 4th chamber, or campfire, have audio clips from movies which were definitely made overseas and/or dubbed films. wu-tang clan 's music and lifestyle revolves around a select few martial arts disciplines.

If it weren't for the flattening and shrinking of the world, the wu-tang clan would not exist. The members of the wu-tang clan who started the group were all educated in the ways of the shaolin through means only attainable in a flat world: digital content posted online, high quality videos which are also available online, and through interactions which would be impossible if it weren't for high speed internet around the globe. Not only would the clan not be around, but the clan's music wouldn't be possibly made without synthesizers from china and japan or sound clips of certain noises and beats which could not have been attained from within the NYC (where most the band members are from). Since the start of the clan, there have been over 300 credited wu-tang affiliate groups called the wu-tang killa bees. here's a short list of them.

The wu-tang clan's growth and spread of influence in the hip hop environment started and grew parallel to globalization.

Is the wu-tang clan a symbol of globalization?Yes/No

Are there other wu-tang clans (things which would not be available without globalization) that we take for granted?


Can any1 imagine life without your wu-tang clan?
vague answers are welcome