One of the most aspects of this week’s reading was the statement that despite globalization of media and content local tastes are still attractive and even more successful in some cases.

Much of the E&M industry is growing more global, but cultures and tastes in content remain steadfastly local.

Even Netflix which is an increasing global streaming service says that the future is locally produced content. Content is not only being shaped by forces of globalization but also by localization. It is interesting when global companies want to launch or extend their brand somewhere else they have to think through a lot of decisions about market entry in terms of not just directly distributing content but finding ways to integrate local characteristics, cultures and taste.

An recent example could be the launch of VICELAND that is partnering with SBS to deliver their international content to Australia. Another article wrote that it will be replacing SBS 2, ““The new channel will be owned and operated by SBS, leveraging the distinctive creativity and experience of both VICE and SBS creative teams”. It will be interesting how this play out and how they will integrate local content into the already known VICELAND productions. Also, surprising the managing director of VICE Australia said “This is a unique partnership that will help catapult Vice further into the consciousness of young Australians”. However, as far as I know VICE is already quite popular amongst young Australia.

Also another issue to consider with international content is that local content and mainly the industry still thrive for our own economic purposes.

Klaus Schwab states that the force behind the Fourth Industrial Revolution and thus all major developments and technologies in our generational future will take advantage of the widespread power of digitization and information technology. Schwab organises the interconnected megatrends into physical, digital and biological. Alongside describing the future innovations and technologies, Schwab also analyses and warns us about the potential risks associated with the technologies becoming over consuming of our work lives, individual selves and on broader governmental and national levels. Broadly, he warns to be well informed and mindful to not let technology strip us of our basic needs and human spirit for connection, compassion, self-reflection (time for ourselves) and belonging.

MIT clinical psychologist Sherry Turkle, coined this term “spiral of silence” when what individuals consume become very narrow and polarised according to their own viewpoints, political and social beliefs. Michel Martin, a journalist with NPR also talks about this in the context of journalism where more and more people are choosing to read niche/boutique blogs, newspapers etc. and they are able to select their bubble and not come out of it. Martin argues that there is an issue with the decline of the big newspaper and there is no gathering place for all us to come together. Growing up already in the decline of what is defined nowadays as traditional media (newspapers) I wonder if there was ever a place/median where everyone could come together? I thought niche/boutique media grew out of minority voices being drowned out by the majority or the norm. Also, with so many individual voices to be heard how can one place cater for it all? Perhaps on a less ambitious note, Martin describes that a huge part of her radio/podcast journalism work is bringing people together who would normally not meet. One place for everyone to come together seems idealist however striving to broaden people’s views and perspectives is always important.