“There is no way that anyone could possibly be that in love with Tila
Tequila. The guy has known her for what, two days? And now he’s going on a
rampage?”

My roommate Mel and I were having dinner with our landlords and one of their
friends on Valentine’s Day a few weeks ago, and we mentioned that we had
seen the movie “Sweeney Todd” un-dubbed. I said I thought it was neat that so
many French people were able to communicate in English. Our hosts said that
though the younger generation is more proficient in English than past
generations, it comes with a cultural cost. Since it has become en vogue to
speak in English, American movies, restaurants, celebrities, cities, music,
fashion (kind of), TV shows, books, brand names and “American Culture” has
also come into style. One of my friends told me that even in his econ
class, many of the students were visibly offended because the French
professor said, “The truth is the U.S. is a little better than us in
business. They will retain a high position in the global economy, such as
number one, for years to come.”

Globalization – or whatever the term is – has visible effects. Our first day
in Bordeaux, Mel and I decided to explore. In the center of town, at Place
de la Victoire, is a giant stone archway. It has existed for centuries, and
pilgrims used to walk through it on their sojourns. Mel turns to me and
says, “Oh, wow. That’s historic.” We were looking at the Golden Arches
and posters of burgers and fries less than 10 feet away.

I used to think that globalization was strictly a political and economic
term in the technical sense, like relocating factories and customer service
technicians overseas and bringing democracy – or was it freedom? stability?
safety? – to people. Globalization can function, however, as an umbrella
term that also encompasses music videos, movies and music. Imagine Americans as
a foreign species introduced into a new habitat (e.g. France) and then
subsequently dominates it. I wonder if there’s a term that
could somehow apply Darwinist theory to society?

I’m not sure if globalization is a good thing or a bad thing, but I do
believe that it has the potential to better society. It’d be a good thing if
humanitarian groups were as widespread as McDonald’s, such as Doctors
Without Borders or environmentalist efforts. Even peace and love.

But one thing I do appreciate about MTV-ization is when I’m homesick, I
can watch shows like “Pimp My Sweet Sixteen Date with Tila Tequila,” or
whatever that one show is called.