In a world shaped by globalisation, it is the successful companies that now have power in an increasing number of aspects in our lives. This sense of power restricts individual choice, abuses the power of social connection, and proves to thrive in spite of a bleak employment outlook and a downward trend in household income. For example, Coca-Cola Company, even has political influence due to it’s economic power. When the Grand Canyon National Park made moves to ban plastic bottles, after meeting with the Coca-Cola Company, which has donated more than $13 million to the National Park Foundation (NPF), the plan has now suddenly and mysteriously been scrapped. This level of power raises ethical issues surrounding the idea of being influenced unduly by business. Even in the virtual world of the Internet, the power of companies determine what sites are worth a visit. According to analysis firm Compete, Facebook is now the top source of traffic to entertainment and news portals, besting even the ubiquitous Google. Facebook is growing (currently it claims 400 million active members), as is its influence on Web traffic patterns. Similarly, our choices of entertainment are influenced by a companies power. Take Two Interactive is still growing, even under the burden of an unstable economy. It’s net revenue for 2011 was $1.14 billion, up 49% from the previous year. With this in mind, it enters 2012 in a position of power. With these companies demonstrating the contemporary conception of power, one may question the limits of power and what that power holds over the global population.
“Coca-Cola influences Grand Canyon officials to scrap plastic bottle ban”, Natural News, accessed May 13th 2012, http://www.naturalnews.com/034124_plastic_bottles_Grand_Canyon.html
“Facebook Tops Google in Directing Web Traffic”, Inc., accessed May 13th 2012, http://www.inc.com/news/articles/2010/02/facebook-tops-in-directing-web-traffic.html
“Take Two Interactive has a Sweet Quarter”, Technorati, accessed May 13th 2012, http://technorati.com/entertainment/gaming/article/take-two-interactive-has-a-sweet/
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