Preserving Cultural Uniqueness in a Globalized World

Despite the prediction of global cultural assimilation in the 1990s, the world's countries have largely remained culturally distinct. When visiting countries like China, India, and Italy, their unique cultural identities are still strongly preserved. However, the speaker finds cities to be increasingly homogenized and lacking in uniqueness, with the proliferation of similar spaces and establishments like WeWork, cafes, and Starbucks. This trend is seen as unappealing and even depressing, particularly to the speaker, as it removes the individuality and charm of each city.