cultural diffusion, convergence, and...
TRANSCRIPT
What is Cultural Diffusion?
When a cultural element or elements are transmitted from one group to another
HOW IS CULTURE DIFFUSED?
• Migration (example: European languages
and religions brought to America)
• Conflict
• Travel
• Communication (books, movies, TV…)
The pace of diffusion has sped up at an exponential rate – Took 100,000 years for agricultural innovations to
spread
– Took 100 years for the printing press
– Now things can defuse in a year, a month, a week, a day or even shorter
Why?
Cultural Convergence
When the elements of culture spread by one group are accepted and used by another group
Examples…the popularity of Mexican food in the US and…
McNiffica
Argentina McKroket
Netherlands
McNiffica
Chile
McRye
Finland
Teriyaki McBurger
Japan
Bulgogi Burger
Korea
Tukbul Burger
Korea
VegiMac
Switzerland
KofteBurger
Turkey
Bacon Roll
United Kingdom
Red Bean Sunday
Hong Kong
McFlurry
Belgium
Shake Shake Fries
Hong Kong
Curry Potato Pie
Hong Kong
Bica
Portugal
Cultural Divergence Some countries want to limit the spread of new
cultural elements; a good example is France –At least 40% of things on TV must be in
French
–On the radio, at least 40% of songs played must be by French artists(and at least half must be new artists)
Others are governments with unlimited power that want to limit what people read and hear…North Korea is a good example.