The myth of globalisation | Peter Alfandary | TEDxAix

Is globalisation about sharing a global culture, or designing new cultural borders? Is cross-cultural awareness a new skill, a differentiated form of collective intelligence we should learn, and teach?
Peter delivers a lively talk on cross-cultural differences and their impact on our daily personal and professional lives.
French educated, Italian speaking, English lawyer, Peter Alfandary describes himself as a mildly schizophrenic Brit. After 30 years practicing as an international lawyer, Peter decided to turn his lifelong fascination with different cultures into a full-time occupation - training and coaching professionals and senior executives on cross cultural management skills. He passionately believes that the need for cultural intelligence is increasingly critical as we move inexorably towards greater globalisation.Film and jazz buff, avid reader, Peter travels the world advising businesses and lecturing on cross cultural skills. His passion for his subject is only equalled by his other passion, Huguette, his Citroen 2CV which he proudly drives around London.
This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at ted.com/tedx

[@ONYXMIRANDA]

Who’s here ‘cause your prof told you to watch this video? Me:🙋‍♂️

[@jemaimahnemeno9467]

Lahi ra gyud ka classmate haha

[@maxmurray8950]

haha bro me

[@ONYXMIRANDA]

@@jemaimahnemeno9467 haha

[@cheriemaebulaquena4269]

Hi, classmate! Hahahahhahaa

[@arina2147]

Same here =)

[@pploum]

saw this yet again, after so many viewings, I keep being impressed. Well spoken, Peter. Very well spoken. Patrick Ploum, a fellow international from the French Lycee

[@v.a.3058]

Well said Peter. Looking back 20 years, some of this was taught in international business courses. It's important to distinguish between high and low context cultures. If we can understand the nuances and idiosyncrasies of others we can be more efficient communicators and increase the probability of a successful exchange.

[@paddydiddles4415]

Having an understanding wouldn't necessarily imply acceptance or tolerance, but good communication is certainly an important route towards better understanding

[@camilosanchez5812]

You're right, a good understanding could be a way to solve some of the World's problems

[@nicolgaitanrocha9624]

I hold the view that, communication is everything and is everywhere, for that reason it has many meanings and can be represented in many ways could be through boby movements, attitudes infact our intonation could transmit a message. Therefore the reason I believe this is be aware how we use our words, the way how we express ourselves to have a successful communication and be understood.

[@user-zd7bq4er8f]

Thank you! It's amazing how seemingly small gestures or phrases can have such diverse interpretations.

[@naskls97]

Thank you for your insight - these ideas are needed more today than ever.I have shared this talk with my business classes and recommend it to others.

[@jordangillis1798]

No one got the silence joke, I thought this guy was hilarious clearly people think otherwise.

[@hastytkd5768]

I thought it was more of a demonstration then a joke but I found it humorous nonetheless.

[@danielawesome36]

Can you please explain it? Honest question.

[@Happy_nessa]

I also laughed so hard. LOL. Thought something was wrong with me.

[@mrmcbeardy9268]

that dry British wit 😅

[@vanessacaldas8599]

These videos are interesting because they help us learn about different cultures and so that people recognize and respect each other

[@rrheipel]

I would recommend reading The Silent Language by Edward Hall (1959) and the Hidden Dimension (1966). Both books explore the cultural differences discussed here. These should be compulsory reading for anyone dealing with people -- everyone.

[@yourdadishere]

I feel like this talk should have had a different title.

[@Mercymurv]

Yeah like This Guy's Life Story. Pressing Back now to look into globalisation more.

[@downforceracingseriesxbox3109]

@@Mercymurv Should probably be called "Flaws of communication on a global scale"

[@yourdadishere]

josh MD What’s a “globalist”? Sounds fake.

[@nicolejonson7471]

@@joshmd5905 omg pls help me on my assignment lol can u explain the differences about a globalist, transformationalist and the traditional perspective?

[@yourdadishere]

@@joshmd5905 But, who is their figurehead? Trump or Obama?

[@seymour4408]

Very thought provoking. I will think twice before hitting that send button........................send

[@yanzytalion1656]

glad my prof let me watch this, ive learned a lot from this. i love the way he delivers his message imagine he is one of your professors.

[@tacos394]

one thing though, shouldn't the title be "The myth of the global village" rather than "the myth of globalization" :) really loved this talk

[@MHJay01]

+Kadeem Daniels "the myth of globalization" is a fitting title since he pointed out that the stigma we think of that globalization is something that creates a cultural singularity (or assimilate diversity into a single global construct) is wrong and that we have our own identity, our own culture that may differ from others. :)

[@muhamadaripinilham8799]

Federico gugat

[@muhamadaripinilham8799]

barongan

[@muhamadaripinilham8799]

barongan

[@MuhammadFarooq-pv3wc]

Provided a base for my thesis !

[@kesangyudendorji4]

Damn whatever he says is totally relatable, I support his conviction for the need of cultural intelligence in our education systems. I myself had questions about different cultures and behaviors especially after joining an international school in another country.

[@PL-lt3wz]

This speaker was ahead of the times. Some countries now crawl away from globalisation, to protect their own interests, after realising they can't compete economically or technologically on a level playing field.

[@Ulrna]

if everyone acts the same, looks the same, talks the same, and all art has the same philosophy, everyone thinks alike and acts alike, and all cultures are melded together, then the world will no longer be worth living in.

[@Vangough792]

Ulrna and will be the end of democracy

[@melentievr]

if everyone acts NOT the same, looks NOT the same, talks NOT the same, and all art has NOT the same philosophy, everyone thinks NOT alike and acts NOT alike, and all cultures are NOT melded together, then the world will DIE IN WAR.

[@jaysunsandnorcal5555]

lol nice

[@AndyCFThomson]

That wasn't really his point. If we understand that people are programmed differently, we may anticipate their behaviour better, and be more open-minded when we meet people. Of course we are different, but we are different in the way we approach the same problems in life. He was really making the point that the term "global village" is false due to our many differences.

[@TeaParty1776]

A global culture of capitalist individualism is the only good culture.

[@dusandragovic09srb]

Of course it's TEDx when it unites Humans. Wonderful Man! Gonna do a video soon, I used this for college graduate paper.

[@anhelinahrytsei3284]

Very eloquent, thank you!

[@gabrielalara4643]

Amazing presentation, so so so good!!!

[@leacelestial6119]

thank you for sharing sir.

[@firstmartian4]

It is so easy to educate people about others culture in this internet era , but it is hard to make people living together without cultural competition to become dominant in the area which created a conflict in the future.

[@geraldineromero257]

I agree, since today learning new cultures is easier because there are more technological tools that allow you to investigate and get to know different cultures, but it also has a deficit, since not all people have the same capacity for understanding and understanding to acquire a new culture. It is a bit complex to get people who live together without cultural competence to become dominant in solving a problem in the future.

[@Chinaxijingping8964]

WOW this is something everyone in the world should watch!!!

[@tajbibishamim8085]

Very well organized vocabulary Culture intelligence . Bravo!

[@rowenadoblas9692]

Need to watch this for reaction paper 😌

[@villanuevajemelynr.2954]

Seymm HAHA pero very helpful

[@ketoleuclaver5583]

Great talk. Merci merci beaucoup papa Peter pour votre Grande sagesse.

[@cristinacandy496]

My take on this was to recognize the different cultures that exist and by understanding them you can improve your ability to communicate. Through his travels he gained an appreciation for the diversity and used these experiences to enrich his own outlook. Judging by some of the hostile comments, I don't see how anybody could have twisted it into some kind of insidious plot to dismantle your own culture and promote sameness!! Perhaps I don't understand this culture very well either because some people automatically draw false conclusions when certain words pop up and rather than listen to what the speaker is trying to convey. I don't support the globalisation agenda at all and I didn't think he was promoting it either!

[@danielcalderon1964]

I kind of agree with you, even though that he is only sharing what he thinks and what he learned, the ability to recognize that all of us are different and that not everyone is in the same culture is not so easy. As he said, we interpret subjectively, giving a lot of different opinions. For me, he is not saying that we all are the same, he is definitely not looking for sameness, he's just pointing out how easily is for us to misunderstood the message, giving a lot of examples of what happened to him. But, giving conclusions before time could end up in a wrong idea. To conclude, he said that as we are not face to face is so easy to get a wrong idea.

[@angieballesteros6714]

I agree with you. I think that understanding how the world is full of different points of view and different personalities avoids stereotypes and lets us be ourselves. Furthermore, we need to go beyond and try to share and respect the values of others in this way communication will be possible because we are thinking in the otherness.

[@sestameri]

A well delivered speech making some pertinent points in an amusing way. He seems to be preaching to the converted, though. He really needs to deliver it to other audiences around the world, from the cultures he cites, perhaps Afghanistan, Syria, Morocco, Japan, China. I wonder if the reaction will be as favourable as here before a Western audience. There's little point in understanding and accepting the other if the other doesn't understand and accept you. For respect to have value it needs to be mutual.

[@justmoodlethings9300]

Lol finland giving that silent treatment... Peter seems a smart guy, he makes a good point about misinterpretations and nuances of individual and cultural context.

[@keithhudson3138]

Great speech. This was a masterpiece.

[@TheLivirus]

Does today's trajectory of increasing connectedness lead towards the end of cultural diversity? Is a global mono-culture desirable, considering what we know about monopolies?

[@naheem48]

Very useful, thank you. Is it possible to have the transcript of this talk?

[@dust2dust61]

What a great speech. I learned something today.

[@roja6801]

TED x Talks is like a sophisticated way of “Story Times”

[@be1062]

Really loved.

[@nikolassilvamurcia1009]

EXCELLENT

[@tubervine1259]

Cultural diffusion as an outcome of globalisation is indeed, in and of itself, a 'false friend', but globalisation is not defined entirely by the supposed interdependence of culture, it driven by trade that catalyses the interdependence and gradual homogeneity of economic and political policies and rules. Empathy and understanding of culture as a form of 'intelligence' may help to catalyse respect or mere tolerance, but we may not necessarily create that safer world without ethics, conscious capitalism, and an acceptance of diversity and differences.

[@MythopoeicNavid]

The interdependence is rather overemphasised and the hegemonic inequalities of cultural intelligence is sadly still understated. Neo-Colonialism is a drug scam.

[@angelicacamacho4363]

I totally agree with you, it is a good idea of the awareness of respect for all the cultures apart of ours, and that's the good part about globalization, embrace the diversity. But it is for sure that the identity is being lost in several countries due to the fact that for people it is more fashionable the culture and systems of other countries as well as the devalue of their languages, blaming that it would be better to be raised in a developed country where is spoken a more relevant language in the professional field.

[@JohnSmith-ji7xt]

Yes!!!!! Teach Culture everywhere!

[@antoniolorenzo3709]

Very interesting information.

[@boperadotto8703]

Thank you good sir for your insight.

[@quidploras]

Oi

[@melashzeleke8815]

Very ecellent speech with excellent mesage, which I wished to be.

[@aprendiendoavivir2664]

Awesome, I really enjoyed it!

[@iris21ful]

communication and globalization are 2 different elements. The question is why and how does culture empower? Why should it?

[@paullabastie1961]

Yes I think the same thing. Well said. I would say that cultural intelligence is the key to everything. If we learn cultural intelligence, maybe there will be no that much of problems inside the relationships?

[@francinataliarondonguaba4737]

I agree with you Paul, it is necessary to understan how the culture affect us at the moment to be clear to others one, in linguistic and all the branches of this topic study the language as part of our identity and we need to put it in practice to communicate with foreing people, and be curious about give us a respectful and a real inclusive mind.

[@user-bo9xp4hg4o]

Thank you for you متشکرم

[@JC-bu3zr]

Bravo! Such a charismatc man talkig such an important thing.

[@SusmitaBarua_mita]

Very funny and real cultural differences in communication...I can relate too.

[@1290DR]

Like I love to say: You can talk in english but still in at least two very different languages

[@TheMusicmaster22]

Interesting topic, wish it was no clouded by poor quality audio from the mic. Could hear every breath, shirt rustle, and mouth sound.

[@pulltheskymusicgroup4475]

Best keynote 🇹🇿🖐

[@rovc2936]

Amazing

[@dolganthecute]

Not that hard to predict the internet when Paul Baran had already researched it in 1962 "On Distributed Communications Networks". In 1969 ARPA, before it became DARPA, utilized his research to create ARPANet.

[@colarunjoshi]

very educative.

[@josealbinosantosnogueira6013]

The English language may be the glue that binds us all together within this Global Village we call Earth but am I happy to see that wherever you go you are still surprised, amazed or even disappointed by the many cultural differences that make us unique and, therefore, makes our global journeys much more interesting and exciting.

[@ishrendon6435]

Not eveyone knows english lol

[@ishrendon6435]

Very few actually those numbers of how many people know English is false majority of the world doesnt know english its quite eurocentric to say english of all languages will be what binds us. It isnt.

[@ishrendon6435]

The thing that binds us is that we're all humans and have difference and dont need to be similar culturally because we are all related biologically we are already binded together no matter how culturally different we are

[@josealbinosantosnogueira6013]

@@ishrendon6435 I meant English is the world's lingua franca. In the past we had others, not globally but regionally: Latin, Arabic, Swahili, for instance. In the future, who knows: Mandarin, perhaps? I have the advantage of speaking the 5th most spoken language in the world as native tongue, Portuguese. I can understand Spanish, mainly in its written form, Italian and I can speak and write German, French and, of course, English as well. If I travel all around the Americas, in big swaths of Africa and in many countries of Europe and Asia I won't have much difficulty in being able to communicate. And that is an obvious plus in the global village that our planet is today. But in no way did I mean that any language is better than or superior to any other.

[@JuanSilva-tv3um]

I agree with the fact that the English language could be applied throughout the world because it would facilitate communication between people from different regions, but it is these differences between languages ​​and cultures that enrich the language the most and, as explained in the video, it cannot to make a global village but that there are small villages in a world and each one of them enriches the language

[@deanomoore7026]

That great thing about globalization it's not one idea's . It's many idea's different ways of doing something is better than just thinking they're one way 🤔 so different idea's can be good for Economics and bad too . That problem and great thing about globalization 🤔

[@4Dwooorld]

Bravo‼️

[@tacos394]

lovely talk :)

[@John83118]

This is an inspiring work of creativity; reminiscent of a book that inspired with its creative narrative. "Rising From Within: Unlocking Your Innate Power to Conquer Adversity" by Vincent Starling

[@sandeepmehta5311]

True we need cultural harmony for peace.

[@SpikedMeal]

bro this was 7 years ago. still relevant.. especially now

[@lotedo1633]

We all should try to learn our own cultures first, only then, we'll be able to learn and also understand other cultures.

[@janicetaylor2333]

Why should we have to 'understand' other cultures?

[@Studio2770]

Janice Taylor so people don't end up killing each other over their differences.

[@cicero1178]

Rez But how do you know that will happen,m

[@Studio2770]

Ignorance and emphasis on differences breeds fear and hate. History has proven that. I'm not saying conflicts wouldn't exist, but they'd probably reduced a lot.

[@ricardopontes7177]

What about Frankstein cultures?

[@Vengeance703]

Very deep voice

[@rolfcopter8008s]

He uses humour and fact to expand your thinking.

[@rosyzheng594]

The conclusion is above rubies and thank you

[@essendi2868]

Dear Mr Alfandary, Thank you for your thoughts on cross-cultural awareness. I am myself of different nationalities + have lived in about a dozen countries throughout the world so I can absolutely relate to what you said. But my writing to you today - and I hope you'll get, i.e. read, my message - has a different purpose : my grandmother's family name was "Walfandery" and we never knew where the name comes from (she was Argentinian). As I believe Alfandary and Walfandery to share the same roots, I would much appreciate "que vous éclairiez ma lanterne" (don't know the equivalent in English). Un grand merci d'avance et bonne continuation!

[@LA-sz6yo]

Misleading title. The video should be called something like "the myth of cultural globalisation", as it doesn't focus on globalisation as a whole, but only on the cultural-communication aspect

[@pagezmusic5013]

we can have different cultures and still be a global human race. i think thats all we need is just for everyone to acknowledge that were all humans, and drop the toxic behavior we call patriotism. Its like were too proud to admit that were all the same species. its like: yeah im a human, but im a human from THIS PLACE, not just any old human, im special, my people are special in ways that the rest of you are not. and i take pride in the generations of inbreeding which have lead to the non diverse genetic make up of my people.... even science tells us this way of thinking is detrimental, the simple fact that genetic diversity leads to healthier offspring and genetic similarity leads to birth defects should tell us something. we may do certain things slightly differently than eachother, however there are even more things that are identical in all of us, thus making very many similar things fall within our best interest.

[@alexelefelt]

exelent

[@vanjovisantos3646]

Can someone send me the reflection paper they write about this video?

[@coreyf9363]

He doesn’t mention anything about the economic aspect of globalization. Which should be the main aspect of globalization. Many benefit greatly from economic globalization especially developing countries. I feel as though cultural intelligence can go hand in hand with globalization. Culture intelligence can help lubricate globalization further.

[@GregCalleja]

Sadly it doesn't work.

[@pilgrim.on.a.narrow.road.]

Exactly. I'm disappointed that he's only speaking about culture. Important yes, but globalisation in terms of one global economy is also very important.

[@ianpalanga2905]

everybody has to see this video

[@wascarsimo]

Absolutely loved this video. I definitely agree with him on the teaching of cultural intelligence in schools. We should teach our kids (the future) that there are people that even though may look different from you and I, still deserve respect and and to be treated like human beings. With all of the attention being placed first on Mexican immigrants and now on the whole of the Muslim world by people like Mr. Trump on such a negative context it is easy to see why as a society it is necessary to move to a more educated and open minded future. Alex Simo CCBC.

[@gorillawalk2]

+Wascar Simo He's talking about tolerating and understanding other cultures. Not accepting illegal immigration.

[@Dielonthug]

Scott Aaron except some cultures should flat out not be tolerated. that's the problem

[@zahidkhanrind1]

👍

[@Vibestr]

@@gorillawalk2 your ancestors were illegally brought to N. America (assuming that's where your'e from)

[@boricua0073]

To ignore facts based on presumption for the sake of an argument of a philosophical, paradoxical expression is to postpone a Hurricane in its trajectory. It’s an imvicil preposition. Entertaining - yes. Educational-yes. Resourceful-no.

[@imageinkdesign]

Tavistock institute snd Frankfurt School are culturally savvy, and have used that knowledge to manipulate the masses.

[@YoxxSHIxx]

Exactly, these same elite groups probably have ties to this organization and keep then silent on certain issues. Think tanks like the tavistock and other Godless insane organizations use high level psychology and mind control to the detriment of society.

[@lauraoniria8388]

We do need cultural education, but not based upon simplistic stereotypes. We need social and cultural anthropology in our daily lives.

[@lawrencebasilio7607]

Shout out po sa BSCE -1B JAN

[@ppns2726]

A simple way of explaining it would be "its all about the meaning" metaphors are in all cultures and there are metaphors within metaphors. "Its all about meaning" What do you mean?

[@fernablu]

And now I wonder if Cultural intelligence is not compatible with Neo Culture Technology... I've never seen globalization as bad, but it does have some bad effects if some people are left out of it and there are people like that in the world.

[@pip071998]

Can anyone help me with the surname of the psychologist referenced at 9:23 ?? thanks

[@Marc-li1kp]

Watzlawick

[@pip071998]

thank you

[@h13r0nymu5]

Maaaan I thought this would be more geography related. :( Oh well, it's still a very nice talk

[@norahspie441]

Lol!

[@user-ul5xj2ml2y]

But what if we try to create a world consisting of a single identity (a citizen of the world) will we be able to overcome conflicts?

[@naishantang]

Speak with the language of your partner to ever make a step forward to whatever you will both intend to attain.

[@stevebyl88]

Good talk, although I do not feel his argument refutes globalisation, certainly the 'global village', but that's not what this is about. The travel & cultures he's experienced has been enabled by globalisation, one could even argue speaking in English in non-english speaking countries is a by-product of globalisation. Understanding the nuances of different cultures again points to cultural globalisation - the whole idea that I can research and/or be educated on various cultures nuances & practices, connects cultures, thus again, resulting in a more interconnected world. All this, stemming - ironically - from economic globalisation. I think his argument comes from a sceptical realist p.o.v in regards to I.R theory. Ps, thumbs up for the silence joke... A real shame noone picked up on it!

[@markchristiansenar2986]

According to Alfandary, what does “Global Village” mean?

[@sagittariusbstar1805]

I actually got the silence joke and found that to be pretty good. I agree with your points that he may have some wise thoughts, but he did not take any new, modern media into consideration. This made him look too old for the globalisation which he is part of but does not know of.

[@Jrt29278]

Language records history, if a culture loses language, we lose this culture.

[@stefanitaalexandru8132]

Nope ,nope ,history creates hatred and wars ,new cultures can arise all the time ,there will be always differences ,even in globalisation .

[@linuskalani6646]

OMG I love this guy!!!

[@ricardfaulkner]

Brilliant, charming, and funny

[@Alskie69885]

THIS IS MY ASSIGNMENT

[@erginozer6349]

Türkçe alt yazılı olanı yok mu ya

[@marciogleisson1764]

In my point of view, this is not a valid argument against globalism or globalisation. Is all about multiculturalism, and it works well in order to explain how people preserve their cultural identities. In a global perspecive, you still keep your "village" values, but recognize that the world needs a new order to solve some problems and issues, and the countries not have the autonomy and power to do this by themselves.

[@Waynechester_]

Shoutout sa mga BSCE-1A diyan HAHAHAHHAHA HELLOOOO

[@jonathanestioco7881]

taena mo hule HAHAHAHAH

[@Waynechester_]

@@jonathanestioco7881 masisipag tayong mga estudyante pre HAHAHHA

[@pankeyki7647]

Pakopya mga lods charot HAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHA

[@caramelbar4938]

shoutout din sayooo

[@rbagala]

Peter Alfandary was doing just fine from paradoxes to dilemmas but his solution is off base. one cannot solve cultural issues in cyber space. They can only be solved in real life out there among humans

[@JP-oc5jk]

lmao says the one with a confederate flag as his profile pic. Man if you don't go sit down somewhere.

[@pct2u]

The message is the medium:)

[@stanleybacik8377]

I don't think you can make world safer place with all cultures - it will be to naive to think so Understanding the other culture is nice but no everybody want to give up their own culture Globalisation isn't just positive think Diverse world will end up and all differences too if people are not going to keep their cultures alive We should celebrate diversity and not killing it

[@stefanitaalexandru8132]

Globalization doesn't mean killing the diversity ,it actually means spreading the diversity ,we all eat pizza ,using phones ,driving cars ,knowing that the earth is not flat ,having watches ,knowing more than 1 languages ,globalism is about sharing the diversity ,and enjoying the best things humanity can produce...

[@hellasungjoy153]

Can someone explain to me the first joke?

[@isaiassolomon8465]

...driving a cab...what it means‽ i am no sure if it is not me who is talking...

[@nahimzambrano5874]

pasen la actividad

[@creepingdonut4944]

6:39-7:00 :)

[@carrolechong1953]

Impactful speech

[@rabarahmad1042]

did he study at french school or what ? what is french Lisa?

[@janicetaylor2333]

Globalisation - you have a plot of land and work hard to cultivate it and transform it into a means of feeding your family. You are then forced to knock the fences down and other people come into your 'allotment' and help themselves and God help you if you complain.

[@djmj12714]

I cannot possibly give you enough thumbs-up votes!

[@vicdeville5265]

Janice Taylor globalization is a double psyop .Its a fear based social conditioning strategy to scare people into nationalism again.We are ridiculously forgetful.

[@Studio2770]

Sounds like a straw man and that you didn't bother watching the video. I think globalization will happen whether you like it or not. Humans keep populating the earth at never before seen levels. It's gonna get crowded.

[@yashagar4443]

that stupid and a very puerile explanation

[@cicero1178]

Vic Deville Nothing wrong with nationalism. It's what keeps people together. Not stupid unfounded ideas like "equality"