Article: Globalization encompasses so many aspects of our modern life, from communications to trade to culture to foreign policy, that it can be hard to pin down what precisely the term means. As Simon Reich argues, "Despite the breadth with which the term has been applied, the meaning of ‘globalization’ remains so elusive as to defy definition." There are five primary ways in which "globalization" can be understood:  An historical period An economic phenomenon The triumph of American values A social and technological revolution. The annihilation of distance Globalization can be understood as a period running from approximately 1970 to the present and which follows the era of the Cold War (1945-1989), which in turn followed what has often been dubbed the Age of Extremes (1870-1945). This periodization is defined by either:  Structural shifts – The fall or the Soviet Bloc and the end of the social contract that linked labor representation, productivity, and wages within a mass production system of manufacturing. A conjunction of more temporary factors – The oil crisis of the late 1970s, a GNP decline and inflation in the 1980s, and the elections of Margaret Thatcher, Ronald Reagan, and Helmut Kohl. This definition sees globalization as the latest – and by far the most far-reaching and rapid – in a series of similar events that have created a greater worldwide spread of sales, production facilities, and manufacturing processes, and thus increased linkages between economies around the world. The characteristics of economic globalization include:  Liberalization and deregulation of markets Privatization of assets Retreat of state intervention in the economy (i.e. welfare) Diffusion of technology Spread of manufacturing across nations (e.g. the production of iPhones in China for sale in the US) Integration of capital markets – settings where foreign currencies, stocks, bonds, and bank loans are traded (e.g. the New York Stock Exchange) This definition conceives of globalization as a global convergence of politics, economic practices, and culture around a specifically American version of democracy, capitalism, and "commercial secularism," in which consumption of goods and culture (film, music, restaurants, etc.) takes the place of religion or other cultural traditions. The result is a world that – at least in major cities – feels increasingly similar no matter where you are. This revolution is creating a new economy in which the globe is a single market and a new social order in which people take part in a global culture and economy that is more open and flexible. It is typified by:  Globally integrated production Specialized but interdependent labor markets The privatization of state assets New technological linkages (phones, the internet, online markets) that transcend national borders If you have ever boarded a plane (in say New York), landed hours later in foreign city (Hong Kong), and been disoriented by the sudden shift, then you have experienced this form of globalization. The experience of space, it is argued, is intimately tied to the time necessary to connect distinct locations. Planes, cell phones, and the internet have combined to dramatically shrink that time, resulting in a fundamentally different human experience of space typified by:  Increased interconnectedness that lead distant events to have local impacts The transcendence of local and national boundaries The increased speed of social activity mediated by technology Globalization is a massive phenomenon that has spawned a large literature. To truly understand it, you'll need to hit the books. Some good places to start include:  Clive Crook's article "Globalisation and its critics: A Survey of Globalisation" in Economist 360, no. 8241 (2001) Paul Hirst and Grahame Thompson's Globalization in Question (2001) Joseph Stiglitz's Globalization and Its Discontents (2002) Martin Wolf's Why Globalization Works (2005) Thomas Friedman's The World is Flat (2005) The David Deese edited collection Globalization: Causes and Effects (2012)
Question: What is a summary of what this article is about?
Know that there is no one definition. Think of globalization as an historical period. Define globalization as a primarily economic phenomenon. See globalization as the spread and dominance of American values. Understand globalization as a social revolution born of technological change. Define globalization as a long-term change in the experience of space and distance. Read to learn more about globalization.
Article: If you can think of a personal interest to explore right away, you have an easy place to start. Otherwise, try to think of a hobby that might appeal to you. Think of what makes you feel good or creative now. What feels fun? What did you like to do in the past? Focus on these answers and start exploring how you can start the hobby at a reduced cost. Remember that you can change focuses as you go. Don’t be afraid to try out different hobbies. Borrow equipment or sell what you don’t need. A hobby that makes you money pays for itself. Many of these, such as needlework, don’t require much of investment to begin. Others, such as reselling, may require a more intensive investment to start but pay for themselves in time. Many hobbies have the potential to be monetized. The first goal with a hobby should be enjoying yourself. For example, when writing a blog or making online videos, don’t expect to get paid. It may never happen. Something you already have to do can be adapted into a hobby. You will have to cook to be able to eat, but you can make cooking a passion using recipes that utilize low-cost ingredients. These activities can add to your life, making small expenses worth it. Other examples include couponing and thrift shopping to make a hobby out of saving money on necessities. Go online, to class teachers, or find hobbyists and ask those who are experienced in your potential hobby for the minimum cost of materials you need to start. This will help you judge whether or not a hobby fits into your budget. You’ll often be surprised that you don’t need as much equipment as you imagined. Many of them will have tips on how you can save more money. They were in your position at one time.
Question: What is a summary of what this article is about?
Pick an activity that fits your personality. Choose a hobby you can monetize. Transform an activity you already do. Ask experts how to begin.