UNIT 8

1	Centuries ago, people around the world had limited contact with each other, so change happened very slowly.  But nowadays, the situation is very different.  Through globalization, humans can connect and share ideas, goods and services very easily.  This phenomenon has rapidly changed our world, which many now refer to as a gglobal village.h
2	One effect of globalization is that people have more knowledge about cultures other than their own.  By way of modern technology such as the television, and more recently, the Internet, the worldfs population can instantly receive detailed information and dramatic images from any corner of the globe.  Now we are more aware of changes that take place in other countries whether they are economic, environmental, political, religious or otherwise.  Moreover, for vacations we often travel to distant locations introduced to us through our advanced technology and communication tools.
3	Another impact can be found in our daily diets.  Before globalization, our choice of food was mainly restricted to plants and animals that were grown, gathered, raised or caught near our homes.  Today, our choices are much wider as companies can organize and transport food, including fresh produce, over long distances.  Maybe some of the food you have eaten today was imported from various parts of the world: eel from Taiwan, meat from Australia, or blueberries from the U.S.  In addition, the growth of fast food chain restaurants has changed food culture in many regions of the world.  For instance, some say they are slowly destroying traditional cooking and even causing health problems.
4	One more consumer habit has changed, too.  In the past, nearly all companies were local or domestic, and usually only people of that region or country knew their names.  In contrast, many companies nowadays have become multi-national and are easily recognized by people everywhere.  These worldwide businesses are eager to advertise their brand names and expand sales of their goods to consumers around the world.  This has created and fed our desire to purchase a wider variety of goods.  Unfortunately, though, as companies increase their production of goods to satisfy consumer demands, the earthfs natural resources are decreasing.
5	In conclusion, globalization has influenced and changed our world in various ways.  We are more culturally aware, our eating habits are different, and we are consuming more.  While globalization cannot be stopped, people must think about the future: gDo we really want to live in one global village?h