Globalization

            Globalization is a reoccurring theme throughout William Gibson’s “ Pattern Recognition.”  Globalization, which is the spread of interactions between cultures, is not only a theme within the book but also corresponds and relates to our current society.  In the novel, Gibson provides evidence of multiple societies that have experienced globalization.  An important piece of evidence that show how globalization has occurred is the reoccurring global cities in the novel.  The novel takes place in many different global cities such as Tokyo, London, and Moscow.  These cities represent a pattern of worldwide globalization that has occurred.  

              Cayce’s journey to these global cities shows the impact globalization has had on different societies.  Evidence of globalization is seen when Cayce’s visits Japan and the first thing she sees is “ the Coca cola logo pulsing on a huge screen. “ This shows that because of globalization, every country has the same global products such as Coca Cola.  These big name companies and industries are an example of the effects that mass globalization has had.  The main effect is the shift from countries being diverse and unique to their own culture to one where there is a monoculture and singularity. This singularity in culture is seen when Cayce visits Tokyo. Cayce who stays at the globalized hotel chain, Hyatt, visits other areas of Japan and realizes how things have changed.  Cayce describes the city of Shinjuku to being a red-light district full of a new generation of Japanese youth.  The red-light district and the upcoming generation of Japan show how the culture of the once traditional country of Japan has diminished because of globalization.

            Other evidence supporting the theme of globalization is the idea within the novel that we no longer live in a world without borders.  Gibson gives the idea that globalization has created a virtually borderless world.  This borderless world is a consequence of the singularity of cultures and traditions.   Before the effects of globalization were seen, countries would want to keep their traditions and cultures within the country.  Countries such as Japan resisted change and even went through a period of isolationism.  Gibson comments on the change that countries went through. No longer do countries want to be isolated but instead they want globalization.  Countries now desire to have the latest technological advances and big corporations.  This is seen in the novel by the many similarities that the cities of Moscow, London, and Tokyo had such as the big name corporations of Starbucks and Prada.   Within these cities, the citizens are also aware of globalization. In Moscow, Stella states in response to Cayce that the city “ Is new for us. Everyday, now.”    It is clear that Stella along with other characters are still adjusting to living in a world where borders don’t exist.  The concept of globalization whether beneficial towards society or not, remains a key issue for our changing world.