Alex discusses the choices we have to make in a capitalist society that ultimately contribute to and direct the dominant culture. His point was valid, but I feel that we also must consider the foundational restraints of capitalism, and the concomitant cultural hegemony, that it entails.

Lately, I've had conflicting feelings about cultural darwinism. On one hand, it legitimizes global Americanization, but on the other, it also justifies the flourishing of minority cultures within the United States itself. Moreover, there is no choice within the cultural hegemony. Those in the developing world aren't presented with a choice about whether or not they want English-language, and Western-culture imposed on their society. The ubiquity of Coca-Cola in advertising is a good example: whether you like it or not, regardless of whether you're from Nicaragua or Canada, the average person recognizes and understands what Coca-Cola is. Yes, it stems from consumer-power, but Coca-Cola exists out of the dearth of power consumers have to represent national, domestic products.

Even if borne out of an irrational romantic sentimentality, there is value in preserving the language and customs of a nation by the mere virtue of ascribing value to it. Is the homogeneity of a global English-speaking world appealing to those even in the English speaking world? Everyone values exoticism to some extent. There's novelty in it, at the very least, but also a more primary appreciation for difference, even if to feel perversely superior to one's neighbour. The simplest explanation is that uniformity is boring.

There is a feeling of richness that comes along with belonging to a tradition, even a healthy insularity. It is so hollowly 21st century to discard the customs of your parents and grandparents in a single generation by so easily integrating into this international Americanness. It is the loss of a centuries-long cultivation of culture. To not lament that fact is too pragmatic for my tastes. When your children ask themselves who they are, they will search for something beyond a manufactured identity entangled in an equalizing political ideology.