Step 2 - remembering exactly what globalisation means!

OK, I know that human geography has an important part to play in understanding the world around us, but for 4 years at university my studies became more and more focussed upon geomorphology, and more specifically, dryland studies (deserts!). Quite a world away from industrial change, cities and globalisation. So for starters I felt it best to go back to basics, so I googled the term 'globalisation'! In doing this it appears to me that the term is used much in the same way as 'global warming'. By this I mean that as a phenomenon it has been used to describe or explain so many aspects of what we know as human geography that average Joe can be forgiven for getting a little confused. It has become a buzzword synonymous with the urban world of industry, finance, populations, etc etc. Referring to the dictionary gives a rather ambiguous description from 'to put something into effect worldwide' (Collins) to 'the increase of trade around the world, especially by large companies producing and trading goods in many different countries' (Cambridge). I then stumbled across a rather interesting, if not a little crass, definition which the author states most people could relate to, the circumstances surrounding the death of Princess Diana 'An English princess with an Egyptian boyfriend crashes in a French tunnel, in a German car with a Dutch engine, driven by a Belgian, drunk on Scottish whisky, followed closely by Italian Paparazzi, on Japanese motorcycles; treated by a French doctor, using Brazilian medicines.' The description continues a little laboriously with numerous other countries referenced (http://www.businessandpolitics.org/?p=1139) but it helped confirm a few things in my head. Globalisation is the increasing integration of the world. As simple search has brought me to this and in the process a number of articles of interest have cropped up that should help me develop my understanding further!