In an ever-changing world, the globalization of cultures, ideas, and products are

beginning to overtake and change the local diversity of communities all across the globe.
Though the globalization of these developments has benefitted society, preserving the
local diversity of places all across the world is important in conserving the uniqueness of
the different cultures. Analyzing world patterns and processes, such as the methods of
globalization and processes, is made possible through the use of geographical skills.
Globalization is defined as the tendency of businesses, technologies, or
philosophies to spread throughout the world, reflected through the spread of jeans
throughout the world, or the location of at least one McDonalds in every continent.
Local diversity is the expression of unique cultural and economic traditions in an
environment, rather than the suppressing of their unique customs Transnational
corporations have diffused across the globe, but even in places close to home, such as
Bonham, Texas, the idea of a Wal-Mart in town shocked many citizens. Whenever I drive
down the rocky roads of Bonham, the location of my familys lake house, signs
advocating a unique local community, against the incorporation of big, global businesses,
line the streets, proving their general disgust for industry. Major businesses, such as WalMart, Brookshires, Family Video, and Tractor Supply Co. still remain prominent in this
small town, and are actively utilized by the local people, yet disfavor is cast upon these
large companies. The reluctance to allow a store equipped with lifes basic necessities
into town in favor of local, small-businesses reflects the idea that people of all cultures
are reluctant to relinquish the local diversity of their homes in favor of globalized chains
of businesses.

On the other side of the spectrum, the city of McKinney, another place I am very
familiar with, occupies both sides of the spectrum by allowing an influx of fast food and
chain incorporations, but also supporting the unique, local businesses. McKinney
understands the importance of a strong, diverse community that may flourish through
private businesses, but also realizes the benefits of accommodating and allowing
techniques of globalization, industrialization, and modernization. Through experiencing
towns like this that incorporate multitudes of businesses, but within other cities, such
Bonham, that do not approve of the infiltration of globalizing companies on the smalltown scale, it is evident that different patterns and practices of globalization are adopted
throughout the world, and can be observed through the use of geographic and spatial
understanding.
The unique traditions and culture of humankind has been around for thousands of
years, and something that has lasted that long deserves to be celebrated. Though the
globalization of developments and ideas is helpful, the protection of cultural diversity in
different regions is warranted. Through observing two different views of globalization
within distinct cities proves that there are benefits and drawbacks to cultural diversity
versus globalization, and this can be noted through the use of ones geographic skills and
understanding.