It is important to look at the bigger picture and not just focus on the Israel and Hamas conflict. Rather than fighting with proxies, it is essential to deal with the proxy masters - Iran, Russia, and China. This is part of the New Great Game that has been played in Central Asia since the end of the Cold War, which has now turned into a neo-Cold War. The conflict between Israel and Hamas is just a symptom, not the disease itself. Therefore, it is important to get to the root of the problem to find a cure.
We are currently living in a new era of information warfare where information technology is being used by superpowers to control or manipulate foreign and domestic populations. This is techno-authoritarianism or digital dictatorship, which stems from "Global Convergence". As the superpowers try to impose their will on others and attempt to Americanize the entire world, we will continue to see the emergence of new conflicts.
It was Marshall McLuhan (1962), a media theorist, who famously predicted that advancements in communication technology would bring the world closer together by “shrinking space” (p. 6) — making it feel like a small village where everyone is interconnected. He referred to this concept as the "Global Village." (p. 147). Mike Gasher et al. (2020) explain:
“McLuhan turned to an analysis of electronic society. He studied the impact of radio, television, photography, and cinema on what we think of as modern societies. McLuhan argued that electronic media created the possibility of instant communication between any two points on the globe for the first time in history: he referred to this reality as the global village.” (p.147).
Firstly, McLuhan’s observations on the impact of electronic media shed light on the profound changes brought about by media convergence. He described how electronic media, such as radio and television, had the potential to create a "global village," where communication between any two points on the globe became instant. This concept emphasizes the shrinking of space through time in the digital age (Mike Gasher et al., 2020, p. 8). His insights help us understand that media convergence has the potential to connect individuals across the world. When harnessed effectively, it can be a positive force for creating a more interconnected and informed global society where the boundaries of space and time are blurred.
Secondly, McLuhan's prophecy has come to fruition through the emergence of media convergence. This refers to integrating traditional and digital media platforms, creating a more interconnected and seamless media landscape. The idea that communication methods can shape a society and its culture was first introduced by Canadian scholars Harold Innis and Marshal McLuhan, who emphasized the importance of the communication form over its contents (Mike Gasher et al., 2020, p. 144). Media convergence has enabled individuals from all corners of the world to interact in real time, bringing about a global community that is more closely connected than ever before.
Thirdly, McLuhan's "Global Village" concept offers a valuable framework for comprehending the impact of media convergence on our lives. This convergence has ushered us into a global community facilitating the free exchange of information and communication. This transformative process has resulted in greater interconnectivity among individuals, enabling the unrestrained sharing and consumption of data from various sources. The consequence has been cultivating a more diverse and globally oriented perspective. Most significantly, the emergence of novel media convergence technologies has given rise to hybrid platforms, revolutionizing how we interact with our fellow humans and the wider world (Hirst M. et al., 2014, pp. 144-154).
In conclusion, McLuhan's notion of the "Global Village" established the foundation for comprehending the influence of media convergence in our lives. McLuhan's concept of a “Global Village” has now evolved into a “Global Convergence,” which includes media, communication, social, economic, and cultural convergence. In this context, new media convergence has enabled us to witness how advancements in communication technology bring the world closer together, resulting in a more interconnected and global community. The "Global Village" idea undoubtedly acts as a lens that helps us understand the transformative impact of media convergence on our society as “Global Convergence.”
All things considered, humanity must learn to coexist in the "global village" with tolerance and moderation.
A report called “Global Risks 2035” was published by the Atlantic Council in September 2016. The report predicted a chaotic and war-torn future characterized by violent extremism, the b…
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