The World Is Flat by Thomas Friedman
opinion Essay
916 words
The book, The World is Flat, by Thomas Friedman draws attention to some very good points concerning globalization and the world economy today. Friedman emphasizes the status of America today in relation to the other countries of the world. As I looked at the things in which he warned about or highlighted, I realized the importance of this issue. He talks about a few aspects in which need to be kept competitive in order for America to retain their current standing in the world market.
First of all, Friedman talks about the different levels of globalization. There are 3 different time periods in which the society has differed and changed, bringing us to where we are today. Globalization 1.0, which took place from 1492 to 1800, was the first step to making the world flatter. The coming to America, and the industrial drive that came along with this is what most characterized globalization 1.0. The industry drive was about things such as manpower and horsepower, and how well we could utilize these in the world market. This caused the world to “shrink” a little bit, and become flatter. With the discovery of a new world, it broadened the area in which business was conducted, but the commonality of rule and trade caused the distance to be spanned more frequently. I think Friedman’s notions regarding globalization 1.0 is very accurate. The world in our terms began in 1492 with the discovery of North America. Once the area began to be inhabited and settled, there was much more worldwide interaction. Communications and trade between the American colonies and England increased, and this began a more stable business of worldwide association. I believe that Friedman’s theory is true, because the discovery of a land across the ocean for th...
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...prevent this. This can be done through increasing importance on aspects such as the arts, or things that cannot be reproduced by computers or technology. Friedman stresses the importance of fine-tuning right-brained activities and applications. Also, a passion for what one is doing and having good people skills can greatly increase one’s desirability.
Friedman’s theories have actually caused me to think a little bit differently about how the world job market is evolving. He seemed to make very valid points about being culturally and internationally aware, and the stressing the importance of keeping up with the level of expectation today. Through being introduced to these important issues, I feel as if I can be more aware and competitive as I live in a flatter world.
Work Cited
Friedman, Thomas L. (1996). The world is flat. New York: Farrar, Straus, and Giroux.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how friedman's book, the world is flat, draws attention to some very good points concerning globalization and the world economy today.
- Opines that friedman's theory regarding globalization 1.0 is accurate, since the discovery of north america instigated the flattening of the world.
- Explains that globalization 1.0 followed 2.0, which changed the world from 1800 to 2000. communication, transportation, and growing trade markets influenced multinational companies.
- Explains that communication and transportation are at a level in which distance poses no problem. outsourcing is the idea that if an item can be produced more cheaply outside of the company/region, it will be.
- Opines that america needs to be aware of the decline of america's education and be careful not to become like past civilizations, such as china.
- Explains that talent has become more important than geography in determining a person's opportunity in life. this can be seen in the fact that people in china and india are just as fitting today for international jobs.
- Opines that friedman's theories have caused them to think differently about how the world job market is evolving. he made valid points about being culturally and internationally aware and the importance of keeping up with expectations.
Related
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In this essay, the author
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- Explains that friedman interviewed princeton economist alan blinder, who suggested the united states needs a transformation in education to produce workers for jobs that will exist in our future society.
- Explains friedman's definition of learning as constant absorption and self-teaching techniques that manifest crystallized intelligence and enhance the ability of the individual to new innovation.
- Explains that information sourcing is readily available on the web. however, students and individuals need to remember that filtering of open-source information is critical to understanding the difference between information, facts and wisdom.
- Explains that passion and curiosity is a third ability or personality quotient of "the right stuff" noted by friedman is created by culture and an individual's innate desire to improve or self-actualize.
- Explains that liberal arts education will provide individuals with a diverse education portfolio that will emphasize creative methodologies such as literature, music and art coupled with science and math requirements.
- Explains that the industrial revolution and technology age increased the need for left brain thinking which included analysis, literal interpretation and sequencing. right brain thinkers will tap into their emotional centers, interpreting context and synthesis.
- Opines that the united states needs to develop right-brained individuals in large numbers to take hold of the american economy and be globally competitive.
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- Argues that india and china collectively graduate twelve times more engineers than the united states.
- Explains that india's growth in engineering education according to duke university has been bottom-up and market driven. the "caste system sets limits on admission capacities but there are debates about these caste-driven quotas."
- States that duke university agrees with friedman that the united states needs to invest in more innovation and technology.
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