How Cultures Spread and Change Around the World

Miacademy & MiaPrep Learning Channel

This educational video explores the concept of cultural diffusion—the process by which cultural traits, ideas, and practices spread from one society to another. Hosted by Justin, the video begins in the diverse borough of Queens, New York, using a local night market as a tangible example of global cultures coexisting. It traces the origins of culture back to ancient "cultural hearths" like Mesopotamia and Egypt, explaining how early civilizations developed unique identities before spreading outward. The narrative then connects these historical foundations to the modern world, identifying contemporary cultural hearths like New York and Tokyo. The video breaks down the three primary mechanisms of cultural diffusion: migration, trade, and communication. It provides concrete examples for each, such as the spread of crops through ancient migration, the exchange of spices along the Silk Road, and the global reach of K-Pop and anime via modern technology. It also addresses complex historical topics, such as the forced diffusion resulting from colonization, and introduces the contrasting concepts of "cultural convergence" (cultures becoming similar, like global fashion) and "cultural divergence" (cultures resisting change, like the Amish). Ideal for geography and social studies classrooms, this resource helps students understand the forces of globalization that shape their daily lives. It encourages critical thinking about how cultures interact, the benefits of shared understanding, and the importance of preserving unique cultural identities in an increasingly interconnected world. The video includes built-in pause points with reflection questions, making it a ready-to-use tool for facilitating classroom discussions on human geography.