Challenging the view that globalization signifies a 'clash' of cultures, this book here develops friction in its place as a metaphor for the conflicting social interactions that make up our contemporary world. It shows how creative cultural differences are in the grip of worldly encounter, and how it is overlooked in theories of the global. "By providing generous anecdotes and personal reflections amidst more complex, insightful political commentary and social theory, [Tsing] achieves a writing style that is both pleasurable and informative."---Laura L. B. Graham, Environment and Planning