Week 16 Rumination
This week's discussions centered on how humankind has utilized media and corporations to expand culture and irreparably affect the world's ecosystem. Globally, the landscape has been permanently affected by man-made constructions and art, which can be both beneficial and detrimental. Initially using ancient techniques like metal and wood prints, image circulation had to develop over time. Next came the Gutenberg press, followed by lithography and half-toning, which brought us to the point where everything is mass produced and practically all images can be found online today. Many improvements were made at the end of the 20th century to broaden and speed up the process of the distribution of images, including the use of digital processes and the development of the internet. The abundance thesis focuses on the staggering amount of content and how it is reproduced to reach an ever-increasing audience, and the power thesis focuses on how media reflects global power dynamics and is governed by the highest and most powerful members of society. These two theses are related to the globalization and expansion of images. With the end of the cold war came the globalization of media and images, which was characterized by an increase in cross-border migration, the development of international marketplaces for trade, the emergence of multinational corporations, etc. Nations also started to increase their influence through "soft power," which was the ability for one country to infiltrate the political philosophy of another country through communications communicated across borders that can encourage people in nations with different economic systems to trust and embrace capitalism. As a result of globalization, people may now share their opinions, ideas, and businesses on a much wider scale. This includes all facets of life, including music, television, art, literature, and film.







