Globalization has brought the cultures of all nations into ever-closer contact, yet some worry that it is flattening cultural distinctiveness, reducing local traditions to "performative heritage." When the streets and alleys of cities are saturated with international chain brands, shared digital media, and uniform patterns of consumption, can local festivals, dialects, crafts, and rituals still sustain genuine vitality? Please develop an argument on the question of whether globalization is ultimately a catalyst for cultural diversity or a driver of cultural homogenization, clearly stating your position and supporting your reasoning with concrete examples from specific countries or regions.
