Culture Is Media and Media Is Culture Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Culture Is Media and Media Is Culture - Essay Example The dependence on the use of media has greatly increased and to a great extent dictates the behavior and ideas followed in a society, in other words dominates the behavior of the culture. Common people are in regular touch with the media and the entertainment that decide their collection of information, ideas as well as opinion that create the human knowledge reflected by his behavior. ‘Culture is media and media is culture’ seems to be pertinent in today’s cultural status of a community where media influences the formation of the cultural activities of different individuals within a community (Pope, 2002). The present study focuses on this particular statement ‘Culture is media and media is culture’ and discusses its relevance based on theory and examples. Understanding the Media Today: In the present times, the media seems to have become a significant issue as considered within a society. If the television medium is taken into account, it is found t hat be it small children, the youth of the older people, or other individuals, they tend to spend long hours in front of the television set. The new media has the ability to target the mindset of the human beings that might even impact the societal behavior of an individual negatively. For example, the televisions being the most common medium, several murders are viewed as part of news, or other television programs. Such programs tend to influence the minds of the smaller children or the youth to the extent that they might follow these acts disregarding their true cultural values. The computer has been obtained as one of the most influential medium generating knowledge and information for the present society that is completely dependent on information for its production, consumption and the economy as a whole (Straubhaar, Larose & Davenport, 2011, pp.11-15). The modern media has its presence reflected in almost every issue within a community and hence its behavior and culture. The m odern media form a creation of the mass communication that makes it possible through the internet and the large number of interactive media being available, e.g., television, radio, newspapers, hoardings, and so on. The different problems and issues related to the political and economic factors associated with a society and its inhabitants get attended by the mass media in the present times (Aikat, n.d.). The media can actually be found to be present in all aspects of today’s communication and knowledge gain purposes. Human beings tend to depend completely on the sources of media not only to communicate but also to determine their views and opinions that might alter their cultural views as well. The Impact of Media on Culture: Communication has always been the most important activity in spreading one’s views, opinions and beliefs to engage others in similar thoughts. In the present day society, communicating only with few close people may not work if a revolutionary ch ange is desired or changes in cultural aspects are required. The mass media plays its significant role in this regard. The spread of cultural views from a single point of origin to an entire community is referred as the phenomenon of diffusion. The features of culture include almost all habits that any human being follows in their normal lives. For example, the food habits, the dress that an individual wears, his/her beliefs in any particular religion, the language that he/she speaks

A geographer assesses the impact of diamond mining on South Africa Research Paper

A geographer assesses the impact of diamond mining on South Africa - Research Paper Example Mining is South Africa (SA) started in 1880s after the discovery of diamonds on the banks of river Orange. The mining of diamonds and other metals like gold, platinum and cadmium have significantly contributed to making SA the richest nation on the African continent.The impact of diamond mining in SA is a profound phenomenon whose results can be noticed with turn of the eye. The discovery of the first diamond on the banks of river Orange saw the subsequent change of the regions name from Vooruitzigt to New Rush to Kimberly (Ritter 372). This is just an example of how diamond mining had a life changing influences on the lives of everyone in SA. The discovery of diamonds in Kimberly led to a rush or a massive migration of people from other places who came there to mine this new found treasure. According to historical records, in 1873 Kimberly became the largest and most populated town in SA just a few months after the confirmation of diamond deposits in the region. Kimberly is today kn own as a town with one of the largest holes dug by hand held tools, which has contributed to the site being named as a world heritage site by UNESCO (Sharma 132). Kimberly a city in the Northern cape of SA is nowadays better known as the historic town that pioneered the mining revolution in SA, and helped forever shape the fortunes of the country as a leading producer of precious metals and gemstones. Diamond mining, in SA, can be attributed to have had a significant impact on the lives of communities and individuals who got directly or indirectly involved with the mining activities of SA. A notable character or name that is synonymous with mining and especially diamond mining and trade in the world De Beers. The second large diamond to be discovered in Kimberly was discovered on land belonging to the De Beers brothers who later came to dominate diamond mining and trade in SA and all over the world up to this date. This was made possible by the consolidation of the small mining comp anies of time to form the De Beers Consolidated Mines which has a monopoly over diamond trade in the world up to this date (Afolayan 68). Diamond mining caused elevated levels of rural-urban migration especially of black Africans who sought employment in the mines and the great city life experience that Kimberly as the largest town in SA provided. The De Beers encouraged this rural-urban migration because it provided cheap labor that was vital to the profitable running of the mines. The urbanization of this region in SA contributed to a myriad of both negative and positive social cultural factors that were directly or indirectly affected by mining activities. A good example of a vice or social ill that can be construed to be as a direct result of mining and the miners who worked there is prostitution (Marsh 230). Women and girls from every part of SA moved to Kimberly in an effort to cash in on the gold and diamond rush that was taking place. There were other varieties of socio-cult ural ills that are usually spawned by urbanization and they were all present in Kimberly. Mining helped create a phenomenon called the status quo, which saw the establishment of classes within the society. These classes saw black Africans occupying the lowest class in that society, which was the poorest, least educated and most oppressed by the rich and educated class of mainly white people (Pitzl 141). This unequal stature in society is still present today albeit diminished or in represented differently compared to that period. Urbanization meant that people got exposed to the white man’s education which can be said to have significantly contributed SA’