Today’s hot topic is
the Olympics and whether you’ve noticed or not the reason for this is the
coverage that is enabled because of globalization. “Many millions more people
than ever before now have access to news and information, especially in such countries
as China and India” (Hachten et al 2002, p4). It is being broadcasted in close
to 150 countries including for the first time ever 3D broadcasting….hasn’t
technology come a long way.
Sure we watch it because we are patriotic and we love to support our country in a global event but it’s the personal battles that we see these athletes face and they do what we perceive to be humanly impossible that we celebrate. But what happens when the two greatest super powers are in the battles for the top place. At this present time USA has 21 gold medals and 43 medals in total while China has 20 Gold medals and 42 medals in total. So what happens when a 16 year old girl from China beats the world record of an American male swimmer. It can’t be true can it? She must have been doping right? This surprised me so much when I saw this reported on the news. But what surprised me even more was that I too was jumping on the she must be on drugs bandwagon. Despite how far we’ve come the West is awfully afraid of not being the dominant power.
Reference: Hatchen, WA & Scotton, JF 2002, The worl news prism: global media in an era of terrorism, 6th edn, Iowa State Press, Ames, pp.3-14
Definately agree with you on this one! surely a 16 year old girl cannot blitz the pool like global force. China, Japan and Korea are all now world superpowers economically and politically. Even at the Olympics all three are doing fairly well(especially China) and nowdays Britain is that LOL! But on a more seriousl note it does make you coninsider the rise of the east as a talking themselves up whenever they win gold as if its hard to come by and and the same time were struggling for power! Have the East offically taken the power from the west?
ReplyDeleteHi Andrew,
ReplyDeleteGood blog! It's very interesting to find out that the Olympics are only being broadcasted in 150 countries, considering that there are 204 countries competing! I wonder which 54 countries do not broadcast it? You do need to list a source for your stats, however. Where are they broadcasting in 3D? Sounds crazy! I agree with your argument that it seems both China and the USA are battling it out for top place. I also touched on this in my blog. I admit that I'm slightly sceptical about Ye Shewin's performance, but I am fully aware that my thoughts have been influenced by the media, and yet so many athletes have defended her - so now I'm not sure what to think. My only other suggestion for you is to include some pictures or links to non academic sources to demonstrate your understanding. Otherwise, good job!
This blog has covered the overall jist of globalisation's presence in the olympics. You've included a lot of interesting facts, as a person who could not care less for sports and even bother to keep track of Australia's winnings you made it seem enjoyable whilst also being able to inform me with information that i previously not known. Good work with engaging the audience. Also about the chinese girl, again coming from someone who doesn't care- the way i see it the chinese government are crazy and probably forced into it with the upmost training and discipline.
ReplyDelete