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Jan 9, 2024

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The Grave Impact of Digital Colonialism on Cultural Autonomy Veer S Singh Huron University College- Western University CGS 1021F Dr. Katherine Lawless December 11 th , 2023

In this era of technological advancements, digital colonialism has emerged as a cornerstone of today's society. Digital colonialism is "the use of digital technology for political, economic and social domination of another nation or territory." (Kwet, 2022). Due to the rapid growth and strength of digital colonialism, it is vital to recognize how it impacts global culture. Global culture is often defined as a blend of globalization and hybridization. It involves diverse cultural, economic, and social elements from all over the globe. (Pieterse, 2018) While the growing technological age has made many improvements in today's society, it has also greatly hindered our beautiful global diversity. Digital colonialism perpetuates the breakdown of global culture through cultural homogenization, artificial learning, unemployment and the monopolization of markets. Many authors and researchers have taken different approaches to digital colonialism. Some authors advocate for promoting these technological advancements, but most take the stance against it. Most authors emphasize the negatives digital colonialism brings to the world. Common opinions include the connection between historical colonialism and how big tech companies adopt that method to reach and take over the world. While there are varied perspectives on digital colonialism, a prevailing consensus emerges against it, with most authors highlighting the detrimental effects on global culture. The comparison created between historical colonialism and the strategies employed by major tech corporations proves the need for critical examination and resistance against these companies taking over. The impact of digital colonialism is reflected in the increase in cultural homogenization, lack of learning and unemployment, and the monopolization of markets. Firstly, cultural homogenization is evident through the technological advancements of today's age. While this

has helped businesses and society grow, it also hinders traditional cultures and prevents furthering diversity. The theory of McDonaldization, coined by sociologist George Ritzer, describes the process through which society adopts the characteristics of a fast-food restaurant, emphasizing efficiency, predictability, and uniformity (Ritzer & Miles, 2018). This is also prevalent in the digital era and materializes through big tech companies. In these companies' contest for maximizing efficiency and customization, they often reach absurd extents to achieve these goals. While this benefits the companies, it exposes people to a limited set of information that aligns with their already existing beliefs. This creates and further enforces the homogenization of culture and terminates the acknowledgment of differing perspectives. The second feature of digital colonialism's impact stems from unemployment and a lack of genuine learning. Using new advanced technologies in the workplace often leads to job displacement as automated systems replace traditional roles. Moreover, in educational settings, students rely heavily on AI for written pieces, solving problems, etc. This reliance on artificial intelligence for learning can restrict critical thinking and holistic understanding (Thao et al., 2023). Consequently, society experiences a decline in meaningful employment opportunities and a diminished individual capacity to engage in authentic learning experiences. The third aspect comes from the monopolization of markets by big tech companies, contributing to the erosion of global culture. Market dominance not only eliminates human interaction in sales but also poses a threat to fair competition. Big tech companies can easily overpower smaller competitors, limiting innovation and reducing the diversity of available content on social media. This monopolization goes against the principles of fair markets and impedes cultural diversity. For instance, Meta has successfully monopolized the global social

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media market. Its algorithmic approach to content delivery, combined with its vast user base and extensive reach places it at the medium of online social interactions worldwide. As Meta consolidates its market dominance, it becomes the primary platform for exchange, influencing how individuals engage with content and connect with each other. Their platforms are designed for maximum user engagement and prioritize popular content. Often, the content that aligns with mainstream, often Westernized, cultural norms gains more visibility, overshadowing diverse and culturally unique content (Marr, 2023). The platform's dominance shapes user behaviours, promoting content that adheres to popular trends. In this way, Meta's monopolization of the social media market, exemplifying the impact of big tech platforms, has far-reaching consequences on global culture by influencing cultural expression, limiting fair competition, and contributing to the standardization of cultural content. While the technological age has deterred the diversification of global culture, it has also improved society in some ways. The positive impact of big tech platforms ranges from ease of information accessibility to breakthroughs in the business industry. Through growth in technology, any information is a few clicks away. Those with proficiency in navigating the internet benefit from the abundant knowledge that is easily accessible. In this way, technology contributes to a more informed and connected global society. The rapid progress of technology has also revolutionized the business landscape, creating a new standard of efficiency and success. Business analytics, boosted by new technology, increases organizations ’ ability to make data-driven decisions, personalize and strengthen communication, and analyze user behaviour. This heightened efficiency fosters growth and enables businesses to thrive in an increasingly competitive and dynamic environment. (Ayton, 2023)

While technology proponents argue for its positive impact on information accessibility and business efficiency, it is essential to consider the deeper downsides to the increased reliance on technology. Contrary to the fact that technology creates easier accessibility, it diminishes meaningful human connections. The decline in in-person interactions has led to the reduction in creating genuine relationships in the workplace. This results in a society where people experience a sense of isolation and disconnect from the rest of the population. This decrease in genuine interpersonal relationships also contributes to mental health problems. As technology becomes the main medium of communication, there is a higher chance of people feeling isolated. This isolation contributes to the emergence of mental health issues, including depression and social anxiety. The lack of genuine human connection, the absence of non- verbal cues and the nuanced characteristics of face-to-face communication, can have detrimental effects on emotional well-being. (Yu, 2023) The discourse on digital colonialism compels us to take action against the harm it causes to global culture. While there are benefits to growing technological advancements, severe detrimental effects coexist with them. As the world increasingly depends on technology, new impediments will arise to humanity and global culture, making it imperative to tackle them appropriately. Ultimately, fostering a global culture that values diversity, fair competition, and genuine human connections requires a careful examination of the impact of digital technologies on our collective experiences and identities.

References Ayton, N. (2023, January 14). How technology really impacts culture, the good, the bad and the ugly... Medium. https://nickayton.medium.com/how-technology-really-impacts-culture-the- good-the-bad-and-the-ugly-78196af2db65 Kwet, M. (2022, May 31). Digital colonialism: The evolution of US empire. Longreads. https://longreads.tni.org/digital-colonialism-the-evolution-of-us-empire Marr, B. (2023, October 4). The future of social media in the metaverse. Forbes. https://www.forbes.com/sites/bernardmarr/2022/08/24/the-future-of-social-media-in-the- metaverse/?sh=b502af010238 Pieterse, J. N. (2018). Globalization as hybridization. Sociology of Globalization. https://doi.org/https://owl.uwo.ca/access/content/group/c45e6235-0e50-4204-8e7c- 5adc77af0db8/Week%204%20Readings/Pieterse%20-%20Chapter%205- %20Globalization%20as%20Hybridization%20_Globalization%20and%20Culture%20- %20Global%20Melange_.pdf Ritzer, G., & Miles, S. (2019). The changing nature of consumption and the intensification of McDonaldization in the digital age. Journal of Consumer Culture, 19(1), 3-20. https://doi.org/10.1177/1469540518818628 Thao, Ahmed, & Umama. (2023, October 12). Negative effects of AI in education sector. EDU Blog. https://blog.edupassport.io/2023/07/negative-effects-of-ai-in-education-sector

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Yu, J. (2023, November 9). The loneliness epidemic: Understanding and addressing isolation in the Digital age. Journal of Mental Health and Aging. https://www.alliedacademies.org/articles/the-loneliness-epidemic-understanding-and- addressing-isolation-in-the-digital-age- 27697.html#:~:text=The%20constant%20comparison%20to%20an,face%2Dto%2Dface%20inter action .