Geography @ NumptyNerd
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Cultural Diffusion

Cultural diffusion

Cultures that once seemed securely anchored to particular places have now spread across the planet.

Globalisation has the power to move cultures around on a global scale. We can call this geographical process cultural diffusion.

Cultures that were once imagined to be isolated have been challenged by competing cultures, perhaps creating political tensions. Sometimes the global dispersal of cultural traits enables cultures to fuse into a hybrid form, creating exciting new cultural traditions. Alternatively, this global disperal can result in a culture clash, where people seek to defend their cultures against perceived external threats.


Cultural geographers use the term displacement to refer to a culture that has found a new locality.
​

What is culture?

PictureCulture is not the preserve of those who enjoy art galleries and opera. We all have culture.

​Culture is about shared meanings
.


​People who live in the same place often share a common understanding of a multitude of things that, when added together, can be described as the culture of a particular place. For example, in some places mourners will share an understanding that white clothes are worn to a funeral. Whilst in other parts of the world, black is more likely to be worn as a sign of respect for the deceased.

In an increasingly globalised world, more of us are seeking to participate in 'other' cultures - either by travelling vast distances, or by seeking alternative cultures that might exist locally.

Green is for losers

Picture
Photo: The Economist


When China's stock market crashes, the world turns green. Unlike most stock markets around the world, red means prosperity, while green is for losers.

The example of China's Stock market, illustrates how much we take cultural diffusion for granted. Sometimes it is when a culture has not globalised that we notice the extent of cultural diffusion.

We all have culture and Cultural Geography does not focus simply on elite cultures. We all have cultural traits that can include so many form as diverse as:
  • language
  • customs
  • beliefs
  • dress 
  • music
  • food
  • technology.

About Numpty Nerd™


​Numpty Nerd™ is for anyone who loves Geography.
Geography is about learning to change the future. People need to have knowledge that empowers them to develop a sustainable future. Geographers aim to foster sustainable relationships between people and their environments.

Every effort is made to respect copyright, if you think something here belongs to you, please contact Numpty Nerd.™ This is a non-profit website. The stuff here is protected by the usual copyright laws. Please remember to cite Numptynerd.net as your source.

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  • Home Page
  • Globalisation
    • Globalisation: a Geographical Process
    • Globalisation: Diaspora
    • Globalisation: Cultural Diffusion
    • Globalisation: fashion victims
    • Globalisation and Identity
    • Globalisation and Food Cultures
  • People & Planet
    • Agro-industrialisation
    • Air Pollution
    • Biodiversity loss is a SDG
    • China after the one child policy
    • Desertification in China
    • Natural Causes of Climate Change
    • Renewable Energy
    • Slow Food Movement
    • Technology: a Geographical Perspective
    • The Debate about Aid
    • Tourism: the Butler Model
    • Tourism as a Development Strategy
  • Places
    • Africa is not a country
    • Bangladesh: tourism
    • Milan - Italy's Superstar City
    • Nigeria: Africa's biggest economy
    • London: the capital city of the world?
    • Salford: a city regenerated?
  • The Tool Shed
    • Climate Graphs
    • Images and Captions
    • Critical Thinking >
      • Misleading Maps
      • Mapping an alternative World
      • Language and Geography
      • Gross Domestic Lies