Is it really possible for there to be only one culture?
There is a debate asking if the world would be a better place with only one culture, and I thought bringing this question up would be off-topic.
With people of all types spread across the globe, can there really be one culture?
Yes, it is.
Side Score: 6
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No, it is not.
Side Score: 13
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With the spread of all sorts of media worldwide, I'm sure that soon enough the majority of people will partake in a culture that is essentially the same. The same movies, the same music, the same clothing, the same traditions and customs (or lack thereof), and, most importantly, a way of thinking that is essentially the same. Side: Yes, it is.
I think that what we are seeing today is exactly the opposite; the media worldwide, rather than making us all the same, is slowly giving us the chance to divide into smaller tribes according to our personal preferences. Every day, more people have access to cable TV, youtube, mp3s, online movies, online radios... We don't have to stick to open channels and traditional radio stations anymore. Rather than the whole world loving a specific band, we are all developing a taste for "independent music". People living in more globalized cities, rather than becoming similar to each other, are having access to different fashions, cuizines, etc. I think that, as a result, the only thinking which is becoming the same among us all is that everyone is different and entitled to their own tastes. Side: No, it is not.
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This is interesting, how we're both using the same evidence to draw different conclusions. Like you said, the globalization of cities and the gentle outspread of the same media to the entire world is destroying culture by 'diversifying' the exact same way everywhere, and, thus, not diversifying at all. I mean, Americans are very similar to Europeans, Canadians, whatever, who all have access to the same media. But check out tribes in South America, Africa, etc. They have little or no access to media, and they are vastly different from common culture. Once these tribes are given access to global media, it's inevitable that they begin to trend towards an American/European/Canadian/whatever lifestyle. Side: Yes, it is.
I totally disagree. I don't think that humans will ever get to a point of thinking the same, or even close to the same...Well, I take that back; it depends on your definition of "essentially the same''. Still though, even among people that think SOMEWHAT similarly, there are HUGE differences, and therefore subcultures. There will always be different music styles, philosophies, clothing styles, etc. All these elements of culture and I really don't think humanity would ever agree on all those things--I don't even want them to. I want humanity to be united, to all believe in love, in peace, and in respect. But I do agree with those on the other side that there will ALWAYS be different cultures. Side: No, it is not.
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That depends. China, the biggest country in the world... are they one culture? They speak different dialects in different parts of the country and have a few different customs. Same with Austria and it is a small country. But if you think the differences are small, then yeah. It is possible to have only one culture. Just take out everyone who refuses to convert ;) Side: Yes, it is.
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I would say that it depends on how broad your definition of culture is, but, in general no. Even if a group decided to create a global culture, by either convincing everyone to join, or getting rid of everyone who didn't agree, this could only last for a short number of generations. Eventually, counter cultures would emerge, or the original culture would split over some issue. This can be seen throughout history in various different places throughout the world, and in fact, explains the diversity of cultures in our world today. Side: No, it is not.
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No Frenchie, I don't think it would be possible given the diversity of cultures we have today. It would take hundreds of years to bring it down to just one culture and that would entail intermarrying globally for scores of years not to mention the religious turmoil they would have to go through in order to finally rest on one religion. Religion alone can split a culture into a counter-culture. Side: No, it is not.
It depends on how broadly "culture" is defined. There is the culture of humanity, which is divided into sub cultures, with more sub cultures within them and so on. Until you reach the individual, which could in itself be a seperate culture. If we all played the same part in the same play, we would all play it differently. Side: No, it is not.
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