1988 Summer Olympics: Sohn Kee-chung, marathon gold medalist in 1936, carried the torch into the stadium, and the relay was continued by Chung Sun-Man, Kim Won-Tak and Sohn Mi-Chung, three young track and field athletes. Kim took part in the Olympic marathon.
In Barcelona in 1992, Antonio Rebollo, an archer shot a flaming arrow immediately over the cauldron to light it.
In Atlanta in 1996, the cauldron was an artistic scroll decorated in red and gold, which some compared to a french fry box from major Olympic sponsor McDonald's and used as an example of the heavy commercialization of those Games. It was lit by boxing legend Muhammad Ali, using a string that transported the flame from the stadium to its final resting place. At the 1996 Summer Paralympics, the scroll was lit by a paraplegic climber hoisting himself up a rope to the cauldron.
For the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney, Cathy Freeman walked across a circular pool of water and ignited the cauldron through the water, surrounding herself within a ring of fire. The planned spectacular climax to the ceremony was delayed by the technical glitch of a computer switch which malfunctioned, causing the sequence to shut down by giving a false reading. This meant that the Olympic flame was suspended in mid-air for about four minutes, rather than immediately rising up a water-covered ramp to the top of the stadium. When it was discovered what the problem was, the program was overridden and the cauldron continued up the ramp, where it finally rested on a tall silver pedestal.
For the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens, the cauldron was in the shape of a giant needle which bowed down to accept the flame from windsurfer Nikolaos Kaklamanakis.
In the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, the cauldron was lit by Li Ning a Chinese gymnast, who was raised onto the roof of the stadium by wires. On the way to the cauldron he ran, while suspended, around the rim of the stadium. As he ran with the torch, an unrolling chinese scroll showing film clips of the flame's journey around the world was projected onto the wall behind him. The flame on the torch spread a stick which ignited the cauldron. A huge 5-minute long fireworks display followed.
Culture is refers to patterns of human activity and the symbolic structures that give such activities significance and importance. The lighting of the Olympic flame has become pattern which was presented in the Olympics Game Opening Ceremony every year. However, by adding in the different element of each country, the lighting of Olympic flame has shown case the different culture to people all over the world.
avoid the aliens; 11:57 PM
It is true that our earth is getting warmer and warmer. The global warming has become a big problem which is facing to every country. The statistic said that an average global rise in temperature of 1.4°C to 5.8 °C between 1990 and 2100. If this kind of trend keeps going, it will cause some negative effect of earth, such as the melting of the ice cores, enhance of the global sea level and the instinct of creatures. With such background like this, a lot of countries in the world decide to limit or reduce greenhouse gas emissions to deal with the global warming problem. Therefore, the Kyoto Protocol was drawn up.
The Protocol was actually drawn up in Kyoto, Japan in 1997. It is legally binding international agreement initiated by the UN as an international response to human-induced global climate change. It was aim to arrest and reverse the upward trend in greenhouse emissions that begun during the industrial revolution in the 18th century.
The Kyoto Protocol was targetted at industrialised, More Economically Developed countries, officially referred to as Annex I countries. These include the U.K. and other countries belonging to the European Union, Canada, New Zealand , Russia and Japan, among others. Less Economically Developed countries, including China and India, are referred to non-Annex I countries and are not required to ratify the protocol.
In order to reach the target of assigned amount to reduce more green house gases, there is collaboration between Annex I countries and non-Annex I countries. For instance, Annex I countries and non-Annex I countries can trade for assigned amount. An Annex 1 country, which expects to emit more than it assigned amount, can thus buy the rights to emit green house gas from another Annex 1 country, which was able to reduce their green house gas emissions below its assigned amount
avoid the aliens; 11:53 PM
found this piece of statistics. Quite interesting and scary at the same time ! From: http://www.princeton.edu/%7Eina/infographics/starbucks.html (p.s. go to the webpage for a better view !) hanle!
avoid the aliens; 11:03 PM
Festivals around the world !
Haven't you ever wondered why a birthday is celebrated by eating a birthday cake and singing birthday songs? And why is it the same all over the world?
HAHA SO TYPICAL BUT ITS DUE TO GLOBALISATION.
Different cultures celebrate birthdays, but they do not eat cakes traditionally. For example, the chinese normally eat meesua on their birthdays, which are rice noodles in soup. The noodles mean longevity and eating them means you'll lead a longer life. they did not eat cakes traditionally. Now however, most of the chinese we see around us (at least in singapore), eat birthday cakes to celebrate their birthday. However, not many people eat meesua on their birthday. Anyway, a conversation with an earthling about her eating meesua on her birthday.
(convo) Earthling: You know for other people, they eat at restaurants on thier birthday, but i have to go home and eat meesua! NOT FAIR. (end of convo)
Although its quite subtle, you can see the impact of globalisation on traditions. And the birthday song has also become international ! "happy birthday to you" "zhu ni sheng ri kuai le" "selamat hari jadi" (i think)
And another festival that is proof of globalisation is Christmas day. Christmas was originally celebrated by Christians as they celebrate Christ's birth. However, due to globalisation and economic benefits, it has evolved into a global holiday. People all over the world put up christmas trees in their houses, eat turkey and give each other christmas gifts
yup thats all ! fellow aliens, do you have any thoughts and comments on festivals celebrated globally? tag in the tagboard !
My opinion is obviously the evidences give no definite results; presented together, they show no consistent support to any of the single hypothesis discussed earlier: there are signs of Western dominated cultural expansion.
Globalists may be severely disillusioned after the 9-11 event and the intensified war between the West and Islamic fundamentalists/terrorists. The world is hardly harmonising. Therefore, I shall argue that contemporary culture globalisation is an enormously complex phenomenon.
Firstly, contemporary development of global culture is advanced by the West America, but the process is much more dynamic and complicated than simple Western culture expansion to the rest of the world. For example, it could be argued that in terms of politics and economy (such as business culture) the world, driven by the idea of democracy and free market capitalism, is more Western, whilst popular culture such as music might be genuinely more hybridized and cosmopolitan.
Hard evidences show that globalisation creates, or fails to remove, interest for traditional loyalties and identities. people’s interests to the loyalties and identities with a historical past: they serve to provide people symbolic meanings and needed sense of belongings in the post-modern world. It is imperative that we understand the process of globalisation and its impact on culture as a complex, dynamic and dialectic phenomenon subject to multifarious historical contingencies. Any over simplification of trends should be avoided.
However, i believe that it is save to claim that there is an emergence of global culture at least in the realm of popular culture and consumption; as indicated earlier, whether this limited global culture would be the basis of a broader cosmopolitan value and serve to diminish traditional loyalties such as national identities, is a different matter, and is enormously difficult to predict.
Traditionally politics has been undertaken within national political systems. National governments have been ultimately responsible for maintaining the security and economic welfare of their citizens, as well as the protection of human rights and the environment within their borders. With global ecological changes, an ever more integrated global economy, and other global trends, political activity increasingly takes place at the global level.
Under globalization, politics can take place above the state through political integration schemes such as the European Union and through intergovernmental organizations such as the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank and the World Trade Organization. Political activity can also transcend national borders through global movements and NGOs. Civil society organizations act globally by forming alliances with organizations in other countries, using global communications systems, and lobbying international organizations and other actors directly, instead of working through their national governments.
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
invade invade invade!! =)
human alien grace is here to blog again!!
globalisation and culture!! want to see something unique and interesting?
scroll down!!
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tadas!!!
i find this picture rather shocking. the incorporation of different culture in 1 photo, showing the face of a woman.
globalisation has caused us to lose most of our culture for example people become more modernize and lose their tradition and tradition is a form of culture. globalisation is define as growth to a global or worldwide scale.
culture is a very vague topic and refers to patterns of human activity and the symbolic structures that give such activities significance and importance. For example in Singapore, culture is also dying though traditions are dying.
when i visited earth 5 years back, traditions such as celebrations for the 7th lunar month was still present, but when i came back this year, all seems to be lost.
culture is also use as a form of tool for politics. many politics leader used their culture to justify their actions. for example dalai lama of tibet. he is a religious leader and hence used his religion to unite all his followers for the war between china. in united states, there is no culture. this is because globalisation.
alien grace =)
picture taken from: http://epistemic-forms.com/cover-Pieterse.jpg, Jan Nederveen Pieterse. Roman & Littlefield. 2004
Since I have taken on a human form in its teenage years, i shall state what i observed of a teenager today.
From the video, it shows what I observed about the youths today.
They are under the influence of the global culture. They eat Macdonald, listen to their favourite music and dress in their so-called fashion which is westernized clothes. However, from what I observed they all look alike! It is unlike the youths in the past who were unique because they have a diversity of culture which makes everyone different.
Global culture to me is all about brands. Also, this so called global culture is actually mainly the western influence on the youths. Today youths are constantly after these brands from european countries and America. Macdonald, Gap, Starbucks all come from the westernized countries. This influence has brought about many critics because some people think that it is damaging the minds of the youths. They follow what they called trends. If every youth follows it, they will become identical to each other in terms of dressing, style and language!
I feel that the Earth is a great place to live in because everyone lives harmony with each other despite all the differences in everyone’s culture. However, by having this global culture, it may erase all the differences but in my personal opinion, people should learn to appreciate the differences and continue to live in harmony!
I agree with what he says and the impact it has on the earth. It is much easier to trade and buy goods from all countries as they all have a common currency (the US dollar.) Furthermore, all countries are also ruled over by an International court which settles disputes. In my opinion, this prevents many wars from starting as there is a 'middleman' to mediate and settle disputes between countries. One example is the Pedra Branca dispute between Malaysia and Singapore. This dispute was settled in the International Court and Pedra Branca was awarded to Singapore. Recently, South Korea has been encouraged to give up its nuclear weapons so as to ensure the security of other countries. Another impact that globalisation has on politics is that it is now possible for countries to work together towards a common goal. One example is the Kyoto Protocol, aimed at reducing the amount of greenhouse gases so as to stop global warming. Under this Protocol, countries are divided into Annex I (developed countries) and non- Annex I countries (developing countries). Annex I countries are legally binded to a contract, requiring them to lower their GHG levels, while non-Annex I countries can take part in projects to lower their GHG levels. One positive impact of globalisation is that it is easier to receive help in times of disaster as information travels faster through the internet. For example, in the Sichuan earthquake recently, many countries sent out aid teams to help dig out bodies in the rubble, in hope of finding someone alive. Teams were also sent out to rebuild the homes of the people in Sichuan.
Yup, these are a few impacts of globalisation on politics. :D
I have found this cool video related to my observations of the global economy, such as child labour and lack of protection rights which are considered a hinder to free trade!
Monday, August 11, 2008
hello!!! grace the normal human being is here to post about globalisation and techonology!! =)
the video clip above explains how globalisation affects us!! =) and technology is part of it!
hmm.. if not for technology, you will not be able to see the video clip!!!
globalisation promoted the use of technology and everyone of us, human have at least 1 COMPUTER and internet access in our house!! and this COMPUTER brought us many convenience!! =)
computer has become part of our daily lives and yes, we communicate through this square and flat thingy!! see, without this computer and the wonderful internet, you wont be able to communicate with me either!
in every workplace, every workers need to have a computer as well!! without the computer, everyone will not be able to carry out their work and hence, work will stop!
computer was first made in US (not us but the united states!), but now, computer can be found in practically every part of the world!! globalisation causes all these!!! this is why, the world look similar no matter where you were to visit! glad you came to find us, the 5 special human beings who can communicate with you!
hmm.. technology is something that is with us! how wonderful the spread of technology is! how amazing technology is. nope, i am not being sarcastic!! techonolgy has brought us great convenience and you will learn to appreciate techonology!
say china, our biggest focus! like what my fellow human hanle said, the opening of the 2008 beijing olympic was spectacular!! but once again, without technology, isit possible to perform such great performance? li ning, the last torch bearer, 'ran' around the top of the stadium before lighting up the cauldron but yet, without all the support giving to lift him up, he will not succeed too. the graphics throughout the whole opening was much better than expected. this will not be possible without technology and the great projector.
without technology, we will not be able to see what happened in the opening of beijing.
technology has changed greatly what the concept of human is. human depend greatly on technology and technology has also allow us to communicate without direct experience. without technology, we human will not live in such comfort.
*yawns* it is getting late!! time for me to go and sleep!! nights!!
till then =)
your special human being, grace! =) a small comic about globalisation
Sunday, August 10, 2008
Perfect picture of globalisation.
AH. HUMAN NAME HANLE HERE. watched the beijing olympics opening ceremony. isn't it interesting that globalisation isn't necessarily only US now. like our blog name suggests , world is US(united states) , and it has a double meaning of the world is how we make it to be (as human). AH AM I CONFUSING MY FELLOW ALIEN FRIENDS OUT THERE? okay United States (US) is a country whose symbols are seen all over the world. Food Franchises like Macdonalds, KFC and Subway are seen all over the world. And Hollywood, which is found in US is also said to determine the world's perception of beauty.
okay enough of that lets see how China attempts to introduce herself through the Beijing Olympics Opening Cermony.
aw i feel bad for my fellow aliens out there who do not get to see fireworks, cos they're really pretty ! (its only possible on earth cos there's ample oxygen for the fireworks to burn) anyway the fireworks were invented by the chinese long long ago. but people from europe stole their technology and used it for ammunition. Yup so its only right that china chooses to take back what is theirs, and use it for the first part of the opening ceromony, instead of using it for the finale.
They also introduced their culture to the world, starting with the 4 great chinese inventions ( compass, paper, gunpowder and printing. ) ,followed by their culture (jing ju, zither) and many others. This lets the people all over the world know about the chinese culture, (esp the west), when years ago it was the opposite way around.
yup, so this is my part about globalisation and culture. hope fellow aliens find it useful ! (although i am still not very sure about how humans do some stuff. nvm, i will get it figured out. )
From the Internet, I I found out that USA is one of the wealthiest countries in the whole world. Their opinion of a global economy is to commence free trade. Free trade is supposed to be beneficial to every country. However in my opinion, it seemed that free trade does not necessary means “free” to everyone!
Through free trade, it may seem that USA will have what it always wanted but it may affects the workers in both USA and other countries. Since there is free trade, workers’ wages may be affected. There might be net benefit for countries but the people suffer.
Since USA is wealthy, by having free trade with other poorer countries could mean it dominate other countries. It gets what it wants for free. On the other hand it is torturing the workers of poorer countries! They have to work harder to supply the demands of USA, which result in no workers’ rights. Hence, free trade only helps USA and other wealthy countries. Poor gets poorer, rich get richer!
Hi, this blog is written to share our opinions and studies on earthlings and how they run the earth so we can use it back in our planet. we're curious why everything is mostly in same in many parts of the world although they're so far away ! To carry out this project, we have taken on human form so that we can blend into the environment. The names of our human forms are Hanle, Shiyan, Grace, Yifan, Bowei. I know these names sound weird. But thats how humans name their offspring. Alas, to protect our identities, our real names have to be kept a secret first. Hope you aliens out there have fun reading our stuff.
Anyway, just to let you know why we chose this blog add. Worldisus can be read two ways. World is US (united states) and world is us ( basically us!) The united states influence is everywhere in the world! and thats why we think the world is actually a big United States. We make up the world, so World is Us !
Okay end of intro :D
Happy reading !
avoid the aliens; 7:44 PM
we look friendly
but underneath, we're scary
Basically, we are a group of
aliens down on Earth for a mission,
to see how Earthlings have evolved since the last time
we came down to investigate them.
And to our surprise they're actually united in a way.
Human beings call this GLOBALISATION We live on Earth using our human names so as not not arouse suspicion
Hanle, Shiyan, Grace, Yifan, Bowei
this picture is taken from : http://www.worldsocialism.org/spgb/feb06/images/Free-trade%20cartoon.jpg.
