Globalization or Homogenization

Thomas Friedman has been on various interview programs quite often lately. Of course his concept is one of globalization. I agree with the concept, but last night when I was watching an interview with him it struck me that in the United Sates what we have is homogenization. I am currently in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, last week I was in Buffalo, the week before that is Nashville and Richmond, Virginia. Frankly if the area code had not changed I am not sure I would have known where I am. All the malls have the same stores, which carry the same products, the restaurants have the same menus, and the bookstores all carry the same books. I am not sure if this is real progress or not. I guess I long for the day of the corner grocery store, the small specialty bookstore. I know you can’t turn back the clock but is this really progress? Meanwhile I am off to Panera for lunch and then Barnes& Noble to buy the New York Times National Edition and then catch a flight to Indianapolis.