AP Human Geography - Ch. 4 Notes PDF

Culture, Social Media, and Geography -​ Locations have similar cultural beliefs, objects, and institutions because people bring their cultures when they migrate -​ Differences emerge when groups have little interaction -​ Culture: material traits (Ch 4), language and religion (Ch. 5 and...

Culture, Social Media, and Geography -​ Locations have similar cultural beliefs, objects, and institutions because people bring their cultures when they migrate -​ Differences emerge when groups have little interaction -​ Culture: material traits (Ch 4), language and religion (Ch. 5 and 6), and social forms such as ethnicity and government (Ch. 7 and 8) -​ Geographers look for where they can find specific elements of culture -​ Habit: a repetitive act that a particular person does -​ Custom: repetitive act that a group performs in a way that it becomes a characteristic of the group -​ Social customs produces the material culture of a group (eg: Jeans in young American teens) Wine Geography -​ Distribution of wine production shows influence of cultural and environmental elements -​ Soil, climate, and other characteristics -​ Religion, economy, and common taste preferences Folk & Popular Culture -​ Folk Culture: traditionally practiced by small groups in isolated areas -​ Pop Culture: large, heterogeneous communities that share certain habits despite differences in other personal characteristics -​ All cultural elements have their distinctive origins, diffusions, and distributions -​ But folk and pop culture differ in these -​ Folk cultural regions are much smaller compared to pop cultural regions -​ This is due to lack of connection -​ Even groups in close proximity may have different cultures due to limited connection -​ Folk cultural landscapes change little over time -​ Pop culture is based on rapid change through global connections -​ Folk culture varies from place to place -​ Pop culture varies from time to time -​ Pop culture is more dominant -​ This threatens the environment and folk culture -​ Cultural groups take their physical activities to the environment -​ Two Elements of Culture  -​ Daily Necessities of Food, Clothing, and Shelter: groups do these in different ways -​ Leisure activities, such as arts and recreation: each group has their own definition of this depending on their entire cultural landscape Elements of Cultural Geography Origin -​ Process of origin and pattern of diffusion show us the different spatial distribution of pop and folk cultures -​ Folk culture has anonymous hearths and sources and dates -​ It may be associated with multiple of those in isolated locations -​ Popular culture is usually traceable to a person, place, corporation, and time -​ It is usually a product of developed countries like NA and Europe -​ Hip-Hop: originated in Bronx in 1973, making this the hearth of hip-hop -​ Music reflected conditions of the neighborhood like gangs, arson, and crime -​ Popular music and food and clothing arise from advances in industrial technology and increased leisure time Diffusion -​ Different processes -​ Folk Culture: diffuses slowly and on a small scale through relocation diffusion -​ Pop Culture: spreads fast through hierarchical diffusion from nodes of innovation with the assist of modern communication networks -​ Example: Sigur Ros: performed in their home country, then became famous and performed around Europe, and then started a world tour -​ Example 2: Hip-Hop: diffused from the Bronx to Philadelphia and to Caribbean Countries. Now it has reached Asia, Africa, and Latin America -​ Sometimes as style diffuses around the world, it becomes less important in its hearth Distribution -​ Pop culture is distributed across many countries with no regard to physical factors -​ It is determined by ability of people’s access to the internet -​ Local and physical factors influence distributions of folk culture  -​ In Himalayas, neighboring cultural groups have four different religions and customs -​ Each group’s artwork reveals how the religions view the environment -​ Bhuddists: paint idealized divine figures like monks and some are depicted as bizarre, reflecting the inhospitable environment -​ Hindus: create scenes from everyday life and portray deities in domestic scenes and represent the violent climatic condition -​ Muslims: inspired by beautiful flora. The paintings do not depict harsh climates compared to Bhuddist and Hindu paintings -​ Folk Religionists: paint symbols and designs that derive from their religion rather than the environment Diffusion of Electronic Communications -​ These concepts help us understand diffusion and distribution of pop culture -​ It diffuses rapidly around the world through electronic media -​ Diffusion of this culture is determined by who has access to electronic media -​ Electronic media can increase pop culture access to folk cultural enthusiasts and vice versa Diffusion of Cell Phones and Smartphones -​ Cell phones have diffused rapidly -​ Common now in Africa, where land lines are scarce -​ Electricity access is limited however -​ Americans who own cell phones went from 35% in 2011 to 77% in 2016 -​ 90% of Americans between 18-29 have cell phones -​ Ownership is higher in developed countries, but that gap is narrowing Most Popular Social Network -​ Facebook was big company -​ China limited Facebook use in the country -​ Russia also discourages Facebook -​ This is a major issue in some countries -​ Distribution of pop culture is not uniform due to lack of access to specific electronic media Origin & Diffusion of Popular Music Folk Music -​ Music invented in 2697 BCE -​ Songs may be modified from one generation to the next, but content is derived from events that are familiar to most people -​ Folk music travels through migration -​ Folk songs can talk about birth, death, environment, marriage, farming, and climate Popular Music -​ Popular music is written by specific people who want to sell or perform it to many people -​ It displays a lot of skill of electronic equipment, instruments, and vocals -​ This originated in 1900 through the variety show (Vaudeville in USA and Music Hall in UK) -​ Music industry hearth became known as Tin Pan Alley -​ Music diffused worldwide in 1940s bc of WW2 -​ Musicians clustered in communities in the past like Tin Pan Alley, New Orleans (jazz), Nashville (country), and Motown. -​ Globalization has led to music being less tied to particular places -​ Musicians connect with people with similar genres and styles regardless of where they live -​ They cluster in communities where other artists reside regardless of style -​ Musicians want to be close to employment -​ There are also regional musical preferences Origin & Diffusion of Folk & Popular Sports -​ Many sports originated through folk culture and diffused like other folk cultures, but migration led to them now displaying characteristics of popular clture Folk Culture: Origin of Soccer -​ Soccer originated as a folk custom in England in the 11th century -​ It became a global phenomenon in the 19th century  -​ It had a gruesome origin with kicking dead heads and cow bladders instead of leather balls -​ Many people came to watch and play -​ The winning side had to kick the ball into the center of the opposing village Popular Culture: Diffusion of Soccer -​ Began in 1800s -​ Football was popular in the UK and many recreational teams were founded -​ Factory workers played during leisure hours -​ It was taught in school for physical education -​ Leisure time was increasing -​ People viewed and played in sporting events -​ Football Association was formed in 1963 -​ Word became changed to Association Football -> Assoc -> Soccer -​ In late 1800s, British exported soccer to many other countries like Netherlands and Spain and USA -​ It soon became popular on TV when it was invented -​ World cup in national soccer teams led to hundreds of countries adoring the sport Olympic Sports -​ Summer olympics are practiced in at least 75 countries and on four continents -​ 2020 olympics had 34 sports Regionally Distinctive Sports -​ Cricket: UK, former British colonies, South Asia, Africa, South Pacific, Caribbean -​ Ice Hockey: colder climates, Canada, Northern Europe, Northern USA, Russia -​ Martial Arts: China -​ Baseball: once just North America and Caribbean, but now in Japan as well -​ Lacrosse: Iroquois, Europeans after colonization, United States -​ Sports can be a strong force for cultural identity Distribution of Folk & Popular Clothing Folk Clothing Preferences  -​ People wear clothing for different environmental and cultural reasons -​ In Netherlands, people wear wooden shoes to protect against wet climate -​ In arctic, they wear warm clothes -​ In warm climates, people wear little to no footwear -​ People in muslim countries wear modest clothing -​ Migration has led to North Americans and Europeans seeing other forms of dress -​ Wearing folk clothing in popular cultural regions can be controversial -​ Clothing from women in Muslim countries can be loose and covering a lot of skin -​ Several countries have restrictions on where women can wear these religious clothes Rapid Diffusion of Popular Clothing Styles -​ Changes in modern fashion take place in the interconnected world -​ Popular culture can be distributed across the landscape with no regard for physical features -​ Popular clothing habits reflect occupation -​ Factory worker wears jeans, lawyer wears suit -​ A lawyer in NY is more likely to dress like a lawyer in Mexico than a factory worker in New York -​ Womens clothes change through time -​ Improved communications have led to rapid diffusion of popular clothing -​ Most people wear clothes that fits cultural expectations and traditions -​ Diffusion of popular clothing is ruining local variations -​ Clothing in Gucci stores in Spain will look the same as clothing in Gucci stores in Japan -​ Consumers in 2 places will choose the same object for different cultural reasons Food Customs -​ Food supply ties people to a certain environment -​ People’s food preferences are influenced by cultural traditions -​ It also establishes social, ethical, religious, hierarchical, and economic memberships Popular Food Culture -​ Food preferences are removed from folk traditions -​ Influenced by culture more than environments -​ These variations can still be observed between countries -​ Eg: name of soda in different regions of the USA Folk Food Customs -​ Embedded in the environment -​ Terroir: contribution of the location’s physical features to the way food tastes -​ Sum of the effects on a particular food item of soil, climate, and other features of the environment -​ People adapt their food preferences to the environmental conditions Food Taboos -​ Everything carries a signature characteristic based on its natural properties and appearance -​ Some people refuse to eat plants -​ Taboo: restriction on food by religious law or social customs -​ Taboo can also work in the case for sexual behavior -​ But especially strong in case of food -​ They can protect endangered animals and the environment -​ Kosher, Halal, and Hindus not eating beef are some examples of this -​ These three are not able to be explained by the environment -​ Social values influence these dietary restrictions Folk & Popular Housing -​ Houses are a product of cultural traditions and natural conditions -​ It is a good reflection of heritage, current fashion, functional needs, and environmental conditions Folk Housing: Environmental Influences -​ Environment and culture influence housing -​ Type of building materials -​ Resources available -​ Two most common materials are wood and brick -​ Style of construction reflects harsh environment -​ Snowy or Hot or Rainy etc Folk Housing: Cultural Influences -​ Religious values and other customary beliefs -​ Some compass directions may be important -​ Houses may have sacred walls -​ Some cultural houses have specific patterns of what parts of the house face what direction -​ Madagascar: main door in the west -​ Java: front door in south -​ Fiji: eastern wall is sacred -​ Laos: beds arranged perpendicular to center ridgepole of the house -​ Yuan and Shan: sleep with heads toward east U.S. Folk Houses -​ Older houses display folk traditions -​ Housing built post 1940s shows popular culture -​ 3 major hearths of folk house forms (New England, Mid Atlantic, Lower Chesapeake) -​ People brought these houses as they migrated westward -​ Houses changes and pioneer homes reflected whatever was popular at the place they were from on the coast Popular Housing -​ Since mid 20th century, pop culture houses -​ Regional distinctiveness has Diminished bc of rapid communication and transport systems provide people knowledge of alternative styles -​ People don’t build the houses they live in -​ Houses are produced by companies in large amounts -​ Houses now have modern styles -​ Some call them neo-eclectic Electronic Diffusion of Culture -​ Pop culture distribution is not uniform -​ Obstacle to diffusion of pop culture is access to technology media -​ This is caused by low income or lack of electricity Diffusion of TV: Mid 20th Century -​ TV is most important form of electronic media -​ Most popular leisure activity in the world -​ Average human watched 4.4 hours of TV a day in 2018 -​ TV spreads pop culture, sports, etc -​ Early 20th Century: multiple hearths, TV was developed simultaneously in Germany, Japan, UK, France, Soviet Union, and Usa -​ Mid 20th Century: USA dominates. USA had 86% of worlds television sets in 1954 -​ Late 20th Century: diffusion to Europe -​ Early 21st Century: Near universal access with ownership rates rising in developing regions like Africa and Asia Diffusion of Internet: Late 20th Century -​ 1995: most countries didn’t have access, but USA had 63% of worlds users -​ 1995-2000: Internet users increased rapidly in the USA from 9% of the USA to 44%. Worldwide increase was larger so their share went from 63% to 35% -​ 2000-2017: Internet use in the USA is now at 75%. More modest increase than the rest of the world. Share continued to decline to 7% in 2017. China is 22% of users -​ Comparison: Diffusion of Internet went much faster than Diffusion of TV Social Media & Interconnectivity -​ Social media has followed the pattern of electronic media -​ Americans used social media like Twitter and Facebook a lot during the early years -​ Social Media continued to diffuse throughout the world, but the rate and extent of the future seems unknown Diffusion of Facebook -​ USA started out with most users -​ 5 years after the founding, the USA had 34% of users (55M) -​ UK had 18M -​ USA had 185M in 2017 -​ Facebook diffused to other countries so our share declined to 20% in 2011 and 11% in 2017 -​ In 2014, India got 100M+ users  -​ Behind India was Brazil, Indonesia, and Mexico -​ From 2009-2017, UK fell from 2nd to 8th -​ Canada fell from 3rd to 16th Diffusion of Instagram -​ Instagram follows similar pattern -​ In 2017, USA had 17% of users -​ USA was 3rd most frequently photographed country on Instagram (Led by Italy and Japan) -​ 7/10 with most followers in 2018 were American entertainers, with exceptions being Cristiano Ronaldo, Justin Bieber, and Neymar Diffusion of Twitter -​ USA leading source of Instagram and Twitter messages in 2017 -​ 2nd is India -​ This could be a preview of future economic trends which electronic communications advances diffuse rapidly to developing countries -​ 7/10 most followed on Twitter were Americans, with exceptions being Rihanna, Justin Bieber, and Cristiano Ronaldo. Challenges in Accessing Electronic Media -​ Most Americans take phones and electronic devices for granted -​ This access isn’t found in many other countries -​ Many countries in Africa don’t have high levels of internet connectivity -​ Freedom House measures level of internet freedom in 65 countries, excluding those with low access -​ Free, Partly Free, and Not Free -​ 19 were Free, 31 were Partly Free, and 15 were Not Free -​ 3 Categories: Blocked Content, Banned Tech, and Violation of Rights Banned Technology -​ Some phones, tablets, and computers are banned -​ During first half of 20th century, govts tried to jam foreign radio stations  -​ Communist countries in Eastern Europe blocked TV signals from stations in Western Europe -​ Satellites enabled users to outwit government controls -​ Now, governments can prevent unwanted technology by regulating platforms that are supported by infrastructure in the country \ -​ Even traveling from the USA to West Europe, users may see their devices incompatible with new cellular towers. -​ China restricts foreign applications like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram -​ Electronic interaction in China is used by Chinese apps like WeChat, Weibo, and QQ Blocked Content -​ Some websites are censored -​ Japan, UK, and USA have dominated TV in developing countries -​ Leaders believe American TV is a new method of Imperialism -​ Some American values and themes conflict with the countries’ traditional folk culture -​ Many networks block offending networks like MTV and substitute them with networks that emphasize local values -​ 3 types of content that is censored -​ Political content (or related to minority, human, gender, religious rights) that expresses views in opposition to that of the government -​ Social content related to sexuality, gambling, drugs, or alcohol -​ Security content related to violence, armed conflicts, military groups, separatist movements -​ Google has fallen under criticism for not displaying results that the government wishes to be hidden from the country -​ The company struggles to comply with China’s strict control over social media Violated User Rights -​ Individuals are sometimes jailed or harassed for their online activity -​ Because of citizens finding ways around their restrictions, governments resort to punishment -​ Governments attack and harass citizens because of their activity -​ Some countries have justification for attacks -​ In Gambia, it is a criminal offense for the Internet to criticize public officials -​ In Ethiopia, governments are permitted to search computers, websites, and social media for anything that seems damaging to the country -​ Freedom House says that women and LGBTQIA+ members have been targeted -​ In Pakistan, a woman was stoned to death for using a cell phone  -​ Gay men in Russia have been lured through social media to prisons where they were assaulted by hate groups -​ 3 worst countries: Syria, China, and Iran -​ Iran: harsh punishments on those who promote causes against the government -​ Syria: government launched malware attacks against computers of anti-government protests -​ China: individuals posting anti-government messages were arrested -​ Russia and Turkey have bad internet freedom -​ Several laws enacted in Russia since 2012 to block online content against Russia -​ These laws arrest anti-government leaders -​ Turkey: internet censorship by government has increased Spatial Dimensions to Cyberattacks -​ Social media and electronic devices make interaction over long distances easier -​ Criminals also can use this to take advantage of software -​ Cyberattacks can compromise privacy, corporate/national security, misinformation, and more. -​ Perpetrators can also steal and make money, influence decision making, and alter election results Distribution of Victims -​ Most cyberattack victims are in a handful of countries -​ Malware: hostile and intrusive software made to cause intentional harm. It takes control of a computer to steal personal, financial, or business information -​ Ransomware: malware that encrypts the victim’s files, making it impossible to access unless a ransom is paid to decrypt them (Led by india and Russia) -​ Cyber Espionage: unauthorized or clandestine deployment of viruses to observe or destroy data in the computer systems of government agencies -​ The origin and victim locations of these attacks are most commonly in the USA Fake News & Alternative Facts -​ Fake News: false report created to seem like a correct news report. -​ They spread fake information that they know to be wrong -​ They mislead consumers with a motive -​ This is common in political channels -​ Elected officials call news unfavorable to them ‘Fake News’  -​ Alternative Fact: statement that can be proven false (created by Kellyanne COnway to describe an incorrect statement by Trump’s Press Secretary Sean Spicer. -​ Trolling: practice of posting deliberately inflammatory or incorrect or off-topic content on social media in order to cause chaos or aggravation -​ If we already don’t like something, we are more likely to believe fake news or alt facts -​ If the information is shared by someone trusted, we are even more likely to believe it Using Our Personal Data -​ Billions that use Social Media to communicate have accepted the free services in exchange for advertisers having access to their personal data -​ They can use our data to influence products and how we purchase -​ They can also use it to influence how we vote Maintaining Unique Folk Culture -​ Many fear the loss of folk culture due to pop culture Amish Migration: Cultural Identity -​ Amish still travel by horse and buggy -​ Amish don’t use modern technology -​ They use old clothing and farming practices -​ They maintain their religions, language, and customs -​ They are distributed across 19 states -​ 2 waves of migration 1.​ Bern, Switzerland and Palatinate, Germany: early 1700s, 37K living in Lancaster County today. They were enticed by William Penn’s offer of low-priced land 2.​ Alsace, France: settled in Ohio, Illinois, and Iowa due to lower land prices in those areas. Early 1800s. From here, they migrated further to find cheaper land. -​ Every son is given a farm when they turn 18 -​ Land is hard to find in Lancaster County because of the price and how close it is to metropolitan cities -​ Because of low prices in places like Kentucky, they move there -​ They also migrate to escape tourists Marriage in India: Challenging Cultural Values -​ Rapid changes in cultural values can lead to violence -​ Global diffusion of pop culture challenges subservience of women to men in some cultures -​ Women traditionally do household work, raise children, and those who can get a job usually work in agriculture or handicrafts -​ Pop culture customs diffusing to India has led to a negative impact on women in India -​ Men are demanding dowries -​ Dowry: gift from one family to another as a sign of respect. -​ Groom provides small dowry to bride’s family -​ 20th Century Dowry: custom reversed and the bride’s family is expected to provide a large dowry to the groom -​ There are anti-dowry laws (1961) but they are ignored -​ Now they are even bigger and are large sources of income for the groom’s family -​ If a bride’s family cannot pay the dowry, the groom’s family casts the bride out and her family may refuse to take her back -​ Husbands mad over insubstantial dowries killed 7634 women in India in 2015 -​ Disputes over dowries have led to 90K cases of torture Future of Folk Culture -​ Increasingly subject to outside influence -​ Caused by migration (economic) -​ Caused by people choosing less expensive lifestyles -​ Movie watchers are drawn to western films -​ Concrete is stronger and cheaper than bamboo -​ Jeans are cheaper and more durable than traditional clothing -​ Assimilation has challenged cultural diversity Cultural Convergence -​ For pop culture, challenges from from practices designed to promote uniform landscapes -​ Pop culture can modify the environment -​ It may be imposed on the environment rather than spring forth from it -​ Some customs need to modify the environment -​ Cultural Homogenization: spread of a pop culture product across a landscape resulting in a loss of folk cultural diversity -​ Common acts by western countries  -​ ‘Cultural imperialism’ -​ Pollution -​ Depletion of Natural Resources -​ Crowding-out of locally owned Businesses Uniform Cultural Experiences -​ Pop culture creates uniform landscapes -​ Product recognition between locations and greater consumption -​ pop culture replaces folk culture landscapes and offers new cultural experiences. -​ Franchise: diffusion of fast food restaurants is organized as a franchise -​ Uniform name, symbol, signs, food, trademarks, methods, and building styles -​ People across the US recognize a McDonalds in America vs UK -​ Some view expansion by American retail businesses as Cultural Imperialism Golf -​ Pop culture can pollute the landscape by modifying it with no regard for the environment -​ Hills and valleys may be leveled out -​ Golf courses add pesticides, non-native grass, consume large amounts of land and water -​ These impose pop culture on the environment -​ Because of increase in income and leisure time, Golf’s popularity has surged over last 50 years -​ This trend has slowed recently -​ Distribution of golf courses is not uniform -​ Usually found in North-Central states -​ Some courses add grass that is designed to thrive in the local climate and still be suitable for fairways, greens, and roughs. -​ They try to keep trees and vegetation -​ With other customs, they try to remake the environment -​ They flatten hills and fill valleys -​ They drain or expand water bodies Cultural Divergence -​ Differences persist in cultural preferences at many scales Urban-Rural Differences -​ Rural spaces economy focuses on agriculture -​ Have more traditional forms of pop culture -​ Urban spaces have wealth, migration, and ethnic groups -​ May value more progressive forms of pop culture -​ Urban vs. Rural Americans prefer different TV shows -​ Crime Shows in Rural Areas; Satirical Comedies in Urban Areas Cultural Differences: Interregional Scale -​ South and Midwest are 2 Vernacular Regions with distinctive histories and cultures -​ Their cultural difference are reinforced by modern social media -​ Example: Twitter users in the South tweet ‘church’ more than ‘beer’ where it is the opposite in the northeast Cultural Differences: Individual Scale -​ U.S Dept. of Labor Bureau determines how people spend their day and young people usually spend half watching TV. -​ Senior citizens do it even more with about 2/3s being composed of TV