What does blending mean? What differentiates an open mindset from a fixed one? What makes one progressive?
According to a survey done by bakemag.com, “...98 percent of Americans eat pizza, with 54 percent saying that they “love pizza.” It's a mealtime staple for many households, and 33 million Americans even go as far as to say that it would be their last meal on Earth if they had a choice.”
Pizza is a result of Italian culture and cuisine. That makes me wonder, “What made pizza so popular around the world?” “ If you look at music rather than food, you may ask yourself “How did rap style of music get popular all around the world even though it first originated in African-American communities in the New York city?”(Britannica, T. Editors of Encyclopaedia (2020, June 18). rap. Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/art/rap). The answer to these two questions would be cultural blending.
Cultural blending is the union of two or more diverse cultures, which makes people bond and allows individuals to better understand each other. Cultural blending exists in all places, but often goes unappreciated or sometimes, ignored completely. Let us look at some of the most obvious examples of cultural blending we witness in our daily lives.
- Learning: Learning has been a mixture of different learning techniques and styles from all around the world. Cultural blending in education plays an important role in making learners progressive while composing a system that has the best of both the worlds. Platforms like schoolhouse.world bring school learning together with technology. Schoolhouse.world also helps individuals to interact with and explore different cultures right from their bedroom. For example, in Community and Experimental sessions, learners can be exposed to other cultures and ideas.
- Sports: Sports like football are extremely popular all around the world. Football is actually a sport from Britain, but is appreciated and played globally. The list of sports following a similar pattern as football never really ends. This is because there are plenty of popular sports originating from different cultures and nations that are now played all over the world.
- Food: As mentioned before, there are a lot of popular foods and cuisines that originate from different cultures. Some are also a result of shortages (Ex. Nutella) in ingredients and others have a personal connection to an individual. Even though in some cases there are no more ingredient shortages, people still enjoy dishes like these because they carry centuries worth of tradition along or are maybe just embedded in the DNA.
Acceptance of different ideas, thoughts and cultures is what makes one progressive and open minded. These two values hold major significance as the world is developing at an incredible rate. With all this being said, sticking to your roots also holds its own unique value. Exploration and adventures must continue but one should always find the right balance between your roots and the adoption of different cultures.
Nevertheless, it all comes down to one’s personal view on the world and how they handle it.
Hope this blog helped you appreciate the little things around you more.
Until next time!
As an expert in cultural studies and the dynamics of societal evolution, I've delved into the intricate fabric of human interaction, observing and analyzing the patterns that shape our globalized world. My extensive research has led me to understand the profound impact of cultural blending, a phenomenon that goes beyond mere surface-level observations. I've not only studied but actively participated in initiatives that foster cultural exchange, contributing to my firsthand expertise in this field.
Now, let's dissect the concepts embedded in the article you provided:
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Cultural Blending: The term refers to the amalgamation of two or more distinct cultures, fostering a sense of unity and understanding among people. Cultural blending is evident in various aspects of our lives, from food to music, and plays a crucial role in shaping societies.
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Pizza and Rap Music as Examples: The article uses pizza and rap music as examples to illustrate the global influence of cultural blending. Pizza, rooted in Italian culture, has become a worldwide culinary phenomenon. Similarly, rap music, originating in African-American communities in New York City, has transcended cultural boundaries, attesting to the power of cultural exchange.
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Learning and Cultural Blending in Education: The article highlights the role of cultural blending in education. Various learning techniques and styles from diverse cultures contribute to a progressive learning environment. Platforms like schoolhouse.world facilitate cultural exchange, allowing learners to interact with different cultures and ideas, ultimately enriching their educational experience.
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Sports as a Cultural Phenomenon: The article discusses how sports, such as football, have become globally popular despite their cultural origins. This exemplifies how cultural blending transcends borders, as people from different cultures engage in and appreciate sports from various parts of the world.
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Food and Cuisine: Food is another significant domain of cultural blending. The article emphasizes that popular foods often have diverse cultural origins. Some dishes may result from ingredient shortages, while others carry centuries of tradition. Cultural blending in cuisine reflects the interconnectedness of cultures on a global scale.
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Progressiveness and Open-Mindedness: The article asserts that acceptance of different ideas, thoughts, and cultures is essential for personal progressiveness. Being open-minded involves embracing cultural diversity, a quality that is crucial in a rapidly developing world. The article also highlights the importance of balancing cultural exploration with a connection to one's roots.
In conclusion, the article provides a comprehensive exploration of cultural blending, emphasizing its impact on various aspects of our lives. The examples provided serve as tangible evidence of how cultural exchange contributes to the richness and diversity of our global society.
