Globalisation

1. Iowans tend to notice diverse happenings a bit more because we're kind of like Denmark: small and flat. Up until the mid-nineties, we were a homogeneous society of mostly white rural, working class agriculture folk (farmers). But then, with the beginning of the arrival of Bosnian refugees and the arrival of Hispanic immigrants, we rapidly changed in terms of racial demographic and cultural happenings and events. One of the biggest changes is that we have implemented Cinco De Mayo as part of an unofficial state holiday. On May 5th, many hispanics in Iowa and around the US and Mexico (especially Mexico), to celebrate Mexican heritage and pride. Almost overnight, a sea of Mexican flags, sombreros, tacos, and parades flood the state. The capital city, Des Moines, holds a huge rally and tens of thousands come from around the state to celebrate and rejoice. The normally quite and reserved Iowa becomes a mecca for hispanic pride. Public schools recognize this day and discuss its importance by speaking about famous Mexican revolutionaries and cultural events. Because of this day, Mexican students have begun to feel more accepted and proud of their heritage. As a spectator and observer, I have begun to appreciate the beauty and strength of Mexico's culture because now that I am a far more mature individual than I was even a few years ago, I can see that when you are still the outside group in a state like Iowa, you can also celebrate what makes you different and what makes you unique. Plus, all the Mexican restaurants in town offer extremely discounted prices on their food so that's really nice to take advantage of as a destitute college student. 
2. Communication: In my opinion, communication is the exchange of meaning through sound, symbols, and technology. The Webster definition defines it as "an act of transmitting". These definitions make sense because communication derives from the latin word: communis (to share). 

We tried to solve this question of globalisation. And guess who drew my state?

""Tread Lightly" is a free climate change education and engagement program. The aim is to empower youth to reduce their ecological footprints and take action on climate change. The interactive tools on the website may be used in schools as well as by any group or individual: click http://treadlightly.tigweb.org/"

Here is a video that also helps explain Climate Change: 

Climate change is a very touchy topic in the USA. In the south, you have the skeptics who think climate change is only affected by nature and in the north, you have those that follow An Inconvenient Truth (a global warming documentary by Al Gore) like the bible. Personally, I think climate change is both natural and also made more extreme by human activity. But then I think to myself: "how much can we really lower the emissions and maintain the quality of life we have become so accustomed to?"

Completely changing to non-motorized transport or public transportation is a solution that is thrown around as the "next big thing". As I have seen in Copenhagen, such a system is feasible but the years and money it took to get the trains and buses to the level they are at now makes such an endeavor unappealing for a large country such as the United States. We have pockets of efficient public transportation in cities like Washington D.C. and New York, but sadly, they are not the norm. In Iowa, public transportation is such a joke that unless you live in the very center of Des Moines, it's not worth a second of your time. I would not wish upon my worst enemy the hours it takes to go 10 miles on the DART bus in central Iowa. That is the level of disdain Iowans have for the system.

To get the system going, as I said before, money and time would have to be placed. But many Americans would ask why we would go through the effort when cars are far more efficient and economical (at least for us). To fundamentally change transportation in a country like the US would take a monumental effort. Because of this, I wonder just how much we can reduce emissions in the US.

The Danes like to say they have very good system when it comes to leaving as little of a carbon footprint as possible. And I couldn't agree more with them. But the reality is that changing everything for a country of about 6 million is far more feasible then a country of over 310 million. We are just mastering the art of recycling cardboard, plastic, and cans. With time, I can easily foresee the US taking baby steps to fix the issue. And thus that is the answer for helping to stem the tide of climate change: taking time to educate people and gradually guide them to leaving a better ecological footprint. Honestly, it's the most sensible option. Sensible, however, is sadly not a word many leaders comprehend.

Alexander the Great

You might be asking why I'm putting Alexander the Great in the Globalisation section. Hmmmm good question indeed. He conquered the largest empire the world had seen by 323 BC. From modern day Greece to the border of India, his empire encompassed both western and eastern civilization. 

To understand him, let me first give a quick biography. Alexander was born to the military general King Phillip II of Macedon in 356 BC. He was tutored by Aristotle and was told great legends and riches that could be found to the east where the Persian Empire was. When he turned 20, Phillip II was assassinated and Alexander became king. After subduing the rebelling Greek city states, he turned his eye to Persia and gathered his army.

For the next 12 years, he embarked on a military campaign that literally did what no Greek had thought possible. Cities such as Halicarnassus, Tyre, Memphis, Sidon, and Babylonia all fell into place. He never lost a battle and had a tenacity even the most hardy could not equal. Unlike most conquerors of his time,  Alexander sought to integrate Greek culture with the eastern cultures. He brought Greek philosophy, science, medicine, paved roads, sewers, public baths, and shrines to gods such as Zeus and Athena. As a symbol of this merging of two worlds, he elected to marry an eastern princess and moved his capitol from Pella in Macedon to Babylon. As the years passed, he paved the way for an diverse new generation of Macedonian soldiers and citizens from all walks of his empire. When he was finally forced back to Babylon after crossing the Hydapses river in India by his soldiers, Alexander the Great died of illness at the age of 33. Historians of his time even speculate that he was preparing invasions to Arabia, Carthage, and Rome. 

Before his corpse became cold, his generals already began to fight over the pieces of his empire. It quickly splintered into factions such as Macedonia, Pontus, Seleucia, and Ptolemaic Egypt. But the cultural changes had a profound effect in these regions. Areas such as Sogdiana and Bactria had never been exposed to Greek culture and now they had begun using Greek minted coins and military tactics. The Greek language had spread thousands of miles beyond Greece and became a sort of academic language any scholar could understand. Because of this cultural integration, the era after Alexander the Great's death is commonly known as the Hellenistic Era. It would stand for 200 years before being conquered by the Roman Republic.

  

Here's A Video That Also Explains My Point: