Cultural Diffusion: The Role of Science and Technology

Cultural Diffusion: The Role of Science and Technology

Cultural diffusion has been defined as the spread of tools, practices, or other features from one culture to another (Dictionary, 0000). Ethnocentrism, as defined by Sociologyguide.com, is characterized by or based on the attitude that one's own group is superior. Cultural assimilation is the combining of two groups into one. Advances in science and technology have played an important role in the benefits and drawbacks of globalization sometimes at the cost of culture.

Drawbacks and Limitations…one example

Through cultural diffusion, man has learned how to share valuable technological advances with one another. When settlers first arrived in the new world, they brought with them their mores, religion, weapons, and language. The Native Americans were dazzled, amazed, and in some cases fearful of the new people and their technology. According to Jon Reyhner a contributor to Cultural Survival Quarterlyknowing one’s language presents one with a strong self-identity, a culture with which to identify, and a sense of wellness (Reyhner, 2001). Settlers in the new world, with their ethnocentric ways, viewed their group as superior to the Native Americans. This included their religious views, their technology, and their language(s). During the 1800s The United States required that all educational instruction for Indians be given in English. Through cultural assimilation, called civilization at the time, the Native American became the American Indian (Reyhner, 2001). By the early 20th century English was becoming the native language of the American Indian. However, in a strange technological twist, some Native American languages were revived during World War Two. Native American languages were used for the encoding military messages from our enemies (Yurth, 2010).

Today’u s generation of Native Americans are losing their connection to the past. One of the primary losses is the passing on of their native language. The reason for this loss can be attributed to technological advancements such as the internet, television, and today’s modern cultural practices. According to Reyhner today’s Native American children consider their traditional language “out of date”, “old fashioned”, and “not cool” (Reyhner, 2001). Today there are only about 400,000 people in the United States that speak an American Indian language (Census, 2010).

Benefits of Cultural Diffusion and Globalization

Assimilation and cultural diffusion can be beneficial in theory if nothing else. Leonard Stern writes that “To one person, assimilation means integration over separation. Assimilation promotes unity and shared purpose. Assimilation is to be celebrated.”< span> (Stern, 2010) Stern also writes of the opposing idea that assimilation also creates loss of identity and isolation for some. Stern makes a valid point in his assessment of assimilation. Through globalization the world should be benefiting from the technological advancements. Trains, Jets, and the internet should be tearing down the walls of indifference. Stern claims that the above mentioned advancements should be erasing borders and creating common identities. However, wars, famine, and disease still plague many parts of the world.

Conclusion and Closing Remarks

The loss of cultures outweighs the benefits of science and technology. In Godfrey Reggio’s film Powaqqatsi (1988), we learn that the word Powaqqatsi is Hopi (Native American) for a parasitic way of life. A parasite thrives off of the life of another. When today’s larger nations flex their ethnocentric muscle in the name of globalization, what they are really doing is forcing their industrial interests on traditional ways of life to benefit themselves. This type of cultural diffusion leads to assimilation and the extinction of culture.

Billy Wood

September 16, 2010
Works Cited

Census, U. (2010, 4). "Table 1. Detailed Languages Spoken at Home and Ability to Speak English for the Population 5 Years and Over for the United States: 2006-2008. Retrieved 9 16, 2010, from Language Use: http://www.census.gov/population/www/socdemo/lang_use.html

Dictionary, E. W. (0000, 00 00). Diffusion. Retrieved 9 16, 2010, from Encarta.msn.com: http://encarta.msn.com/dictionary_1861604636/diffusion.html

Reyhner, J. (2001). Cultural Survival vs. Forced Assimilation: the renewed war on diversity. Cultural Survival Quaterly , Vol. 25, Iss. 2; pg. 22.

Stern, L. (2010, February 20). Blending in-or not. Ottawa Citizen .

Yurth, C. (2010, June 17). Code Talkers' stories recorded in D.C. Navajo Times , C2. Retrieved 9 16, 2010, from Ethnic NewsWatch (ENW).