Lecture twelve; globalisation, sustainability and the media.

- Media as a propaganda device.
- Globalization: The dominance of one culture over the rest of the world. 
- Mcdonaldization: The domination of the fast-food restaurant over the world. American capitalised business dominating. 
- Marshall McLuhan: "Social guru" New technologies are extending our own senses. 
- The media has de-sensitised us from the pain of others. 
Sovereignty; 
- Challenges the idea of national state. 
- Cultural imperialism: forcing your values on someone else. Building an empire. The global village structure is shaping different countries. 
- Certain companies control a whole culture eg. Time Warner. The American way of thinking is spread around. 
- New corporations divide the world into categories based on where they will get the most money. 
- Media power could be thought of as a new form of imperialism. Spreads a message that certain things are good. 
- To be on television gives us celebrity status and is seen as desirable. 
- Certain countries follow the 'trends' of others. 
- Rupert Murdoch: owns a lot of UK news so has the power to influence people. This becomes dangerous because we don't know what is 'true'. 
- Biox biofuel plant, Canada (sustainable).
Alternative clean fuel
Renewable
More expensive to produce
- The fuel is none polluting but the factory causes pollution. 
- Nothing sustainable can be had within capitalism. 
- To promote themselves, companies try to be eco friendly. 
- Mcdonalds' green rebrand was to make themselves look eco friendly. 
- Saving the planet is impossible under a capitalist model.