PAYAO, AMIRA M.

CW101 BS PHYSICS 1

1. Examine the dual role of structures as barriers to, and facilitators of, global flows. Are
subtler structural barriers more effective than material barriers?
From a social point of view, yes, subtler structural barriers are more effective than material
barriers as a barrier of global flows. Subtler structural barriers are more effective in a way that
they are more powerful and more important when it comes to differentiating and
subordinating human identity, such as in terms of social class, race, ethnicity, gender, age,
sexual orientation, and global region, in which is any way, more marginalizing than any other
form of barriers, such as material barriers.

2. What is the significance of networks in the current age of globalization? Is it possible for
networks to act as deterrents or barriers to flows?
In the age of globalization, networks are deemed significant since almost everyone are
involved and affected, such as in simple telephone calls, e-mails, or in transoceanic
communication that enables constant connection of companies, for instance. Yes, it is possible
for networks to act as deterrents or barriers to flows. Sometimes, in such a complex system,
they become hard to control, or could also be used as a delimiting aspect. Just like in the “Great
firewall” wherein the internet of China is being regulated by its government. This puts a
censorship to selected foreign websites, creating a cross-border internet traffic, a clear barrier
to the flows, in this case, of information.

3. Do liquids dissolve structures blocking their path, or do they merely circumnavigate

them?
Yes. As much as liquid flows and take on whatever space it momentarily paves its way, it
also dissolves structures blocking its path. In the age of globalization, we can see that with the
flow of immigrants, the borders of states are somehow declining in that sense.

4. Discuss the impact of increased liquidity on hierarchical social structures.

The increase liquidity of the hierarchical social structures would enhance global flows. But it
would also show just how the liquidity only gives favor and more privilege to the already
advantageous, because on the other hand, the disadvantage people could have no way in
contributing to and gaining from this, as much as those in more privileged social level. The
gap/degree of the social structures widens as the liquidity only flows to the advantageous. As
what they say, the rich would only get richer, and the poor would only get poorer. Moreover,
this increased liquidity could also bring great opportunities as well as great dangers.

5. Compare the current “global age” to previous periods which have been said to be
associated with globalization.
Globalization is a long-term cyclical process in which in its very beginning, it is purely an
instinctive concept in order to fulfill the urge for a better life. Globalization in the current
“global age” is said to be present everywhere and every time that we are living in this era. The
liquidity of this “global age” is approaching ‘weightlessness’. While prior to the current “global
age”, it has seen series of historical epochs or waves in which have declined after reaching its
peak. But that still shows the way of changes, such a shift from a ‘heavy’ (difficult to move) to
‘light’ (easy to move).

EXAMPLE OF MCDONALIZATION
Hospitals. there is a standard or protocol that should be followed to ensure a successful process or
operation of the hospital. so that there is efficiency, wherein the tasks are done successfully.
calculability, there is a sufficient quantity of goods and services for a certain process. in predictability,
there is a routine done that is the same in every hospitals. example, when a person is undergoing a
heart surgery in the America, that surgery should be the same as here in the Philippines. then there
should be a control over the employees, such as them having to wear proper uniforms and do certain
tasks.