Source: Decision I made last night around 8pm in my nice cozy bed when my computer was going crazy.
Relation: Staying connected with loved ones no matter where you are in the world, an example of globalization.
Description: After five years of very unfaithful service, my laptop threatened to die on me once again last night. I checked my hard drive and there was barely a byte left to spare so it was time to make some tough decisions. Which programs did I want to uninstall? I finally decided to uninstall skype. This program enables you, once downloaded, to go online and have video conversation with other people who have installed skype on their computer. They have new interactive services as well now such as international calling online, online voicemail, and video chat gaming. The main gimmick for this software is its global versatility in personal and business aspects of life.
Skype is actually kind of what got me through my freshman year of college. The summer before I left for Humboldt, my friends and I all installed skype and promised each other to use it often. I missed my friends terribly all my first year and even with a slow connection, I at least got to see their dear faces. I also had no cell or landline service at this time so I bought the three month phone service and called my family and friends from my computer for just fifteen dollars. But this year, I'm awfully busy and much more secure with my surroundings so I have hardly used skype at all. And as I said, with a bad connection and an old computer, I couldn't fully enjoy skype. I have a cell phone and a boyfriend whose computer and internet service is far superior to mine with skype installed. It was time to move on, and with a heavy heart I clicked "ok" to uninstall my dear friend.
Commentary/Analysis: There was a time when people didn't like moving away from family and friends because it was difficult to travel back and stay in touch. One could always resort to letter writing of course, but that's not quite the same. However, in a global age, we have found new ways to accommodate and even promote long distance relationships and socializing. We have facebook, cellphones, laptops, and skype to keep us always connected wherever we go. Whether away on business in China or backpacking in Wyoming, you can still talk to your fiance in Brazil. That's where globalization has taken us as a society, everywhere.
I like your 'commentary/analysis' on globalization and long distance relations. Our internet and cellphone communications are definitely great resources for global socialization, though it seems to me that they are distracting from local socialization. So many people seem to be talking, texting, or watching something on their phones constantly but without paying attention to their surroundings. I see people focusing on their phones while driving or in the middle of class.
ReplyDeleteI love the way you incorporated globalization with such an endeavor like your skype problem. It shows in great detail how sometimes you must let things go for your own good in the long run. You make good points in your excerpt, by explaining how the connection of skype helps you keep up with old friends or anyone else with whom you please to speak to. Given this perspective its easy to see how this tool may localize and globalize society. Your post was immensely interesting and seems well thought out good job Sarah!
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