Category: History & Culture
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Know Your History: 1884 Berlin Conference
I’ll be starting an occasional feature on this blog which I will call “Know Your History.” They will be short and to the point explanations of interesting or important moments in history. These vignettes will not be meant as a detailed and authoritative source about the chosen topic, but perhaps it will sent you to a sight to read…
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Burger King in Hanoi: The End is Near
A friend posted a selfie outside the newly opened BK at Hanoi Noi Bai Airport. Globalization is complete. My Vietnam is dead. I arrived at Noi Bai Airport for the first time on a dark, stormy night in August 1994. My wife, 15 month old daughter, and I were picked up at the airport by…
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Fast Food, Globalization, and Culture (Part III)
Here’s part III (the final segment) in this series. The most interesting part (in my opinion) of this post is the fascinating way that fast food has helped change and mold certain parts of modern China. Read Part I HERE! Read Part II HERE! The new fast food culture that has been introduced into many countries over…
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Fast Food, Globalization, and Culture (Part II)
Here’s part two of a three part series. Read Part I HERE! Many of these food related trans-national corporations are now controlling a large portion of food production and distribution in various parts of the world (Phillips 40). McDonald’s and other trans-national franchises do not merely set up restaurants overseas but import entire systems of agricultural…
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Fast Food, Globalization, and Culture (Part I)
A while back, I wrote this (rather long) essay on fast food and culture. I’ll be dividing it up over the next few days. I would appreciate your comments. As you travel down Mt. Erskine road in northern Penang Island and look out over the sprawling Hokkien Chinese cemetery which the road splits in…
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When Language Learning, ask “how” not “why”
A wise man once told me, as I was about to head off overseas for the first, “Don’t ask ‘why’ ask ‘how’.” I’ve never forgotten this good advice. If you really want to learn a language, or if you are living in a new culture and really want to fit in, questioning the legitimacy of…
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How Governments Use Architecture
I wrote this abstract of Vale’s article listed below. The abstract highlights Vale’s attempt to show how governments use architecture to reinforce their ideology or to link their government to the glorious past. Vale, Lawrence J. “Mediated monuments and national identity.” Journal of Architecture 4.4 (Winter 1999): 391-408. Lawrence J. Vale in this article “explores the relationship…
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A Reminder of How Fast the World Can Change
I grew up in the Cold War. I missed the height of hysteria of the 1950s and the many bomb drills and shelters which were common. I wasn’t around for the Cuba Missile Crisis, but I remember clearly the feeling that the United States was constantly staring down “the evil” Soviet empire. I remember the…
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A Short Essay on Arab History
Below is an excerpt of an essay I wrote which highlights some of the historical background of the Arab world which helps to define the modern relationships between the Muslim and non-Muslim world. As always, please ask for full documentation if you need it. Islam was the dominant religious, cultural, and military force during its…
Author Mark W Sasse 