Page 165 - ESSAY WRITING - 4 September 2019

to another. The fact that people can easily retrieve information about sushi as
the Japanese traditional food from the internet, for example, shows that it

allows people to experience different cultures conveniently.
Cultural diffusion discussed by the author helps explain the important
roles of globalization in cultural diffusion. According to Cambridge
Dictionary, globalization has two different meanings. First, globalization is

defined as “the increase of trade around the world, especially by large
companies producing and trading goods in many different countries.” This
definition suggests that globalization is a more business-oriented term. The

exchange of products allows different cultures from different countries to
spread. Second, the dictionary also defines globalization as “a situation in
which available goods and services, or social and cultural influences,
gradually become similar in all parts of the world.” This definition indicates

that globalization is a result of cultural diffusion. Since transportation and
communication technology has rapidly developed, people from around the
world can learn about and experience another culture easily. American
people, for example, start to have sushi, a Japanese dish, for everyday meals

as the result of internet exposure. Consequently, the Americans and the
Japanese share similar culture.
I believe that the article would have been more complete if the author
also touches on the effects of cultural diffusion. Cultural diffusion allows

many aspects of a culture of a country to spread to another country. Stifano
(2017) argues that the process of spreading cultural aspects causes numerous
changes in both positive and negative ways. One of the positive effects of

cultural diffusion is that people around the world are able to experience the
advancement of technology and inventions, such as cars, computers, and
smartphones, which give big impacts to their lives. However, cultural
diffusion can also lead to negative impacts. New diseases, for instance, are
spread from one culture to another culture when the bacteria and viruses

causing the diseases are spread, too. People who now can travel easily to
many parts of the world and foods that are distributed globally are presumed
to be what makes illnesses easier to spread. Therefore, I think it is safe to say

that cultural diffusion may help the culture evolve and improve, but also
weaken it at the same time.
In conclusion, the article aids my understanding about cultural diffusion
regarding the causes and the types although I must read other sources to

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