Thoughts on (cultural) globalization
I like making predictions. Some times I even document them. Here's one: Cultural globalization is a prerequisite for world peace.
Let me explain myself. I'm an idealist myself, and I hope and want to believe that some day world peace will be attainable. This may not happen for hundreds or even thousands of years, but I still like to believe it will. What I don't believe is that it will ever happen until the cultures of this planet are more homogenous. Values and beliefs among different cultures and religions are currently too incompatible for everyone to just get along.
When people talk about globalization it mostly revolves around the concept of big corporations becoming far too powerful. Cultural globalization on the other hand can be seen both as a good and as a bad thing. Patriots seem to hate the idea of taking on customs from other countries, but I feel that we're better off more alike if we end up fighting less in the process.
One Laptop Per Child
One project which I feel may have a huge cultural impact in the third world over the next fifty years if the One Laptop Per Child -project (introduction here). It's been getting rather little press in the mainstream media, but I suspect that there is true potential for a knowledge revolution here. I've been casually following the project since it was first announced, and I'm seriously considering getting these for my own kids. It should be possible to "buy two, get one" (the other unit going to a kid in the third world) eventually.