The Right Stuff
Constant change and a flat, global competitive market landscape were described by Thomas Friedman, author of The World is Flat, as triple convergence and was a result of the ten flatteners. Friedman also stated that in “Globalization 1.0, countries had to think globally. In Globalization 2.0, companies had to think globally to thrive, or at least survive. In Globalization 3.0, individuals have to think globally to thrive, or at least survive.” (Friedman, 2007) The concept of needing individuals to think globally and thrive in the market led Friedman to travel and report on various educational cultures across the world. Friedman was determined to find “the right stuff” to make the youth in future generations competitive globally.
Friedman interviewed Alan Blinder, a Princeton economist who suggested the United States needs a “transformation in education to produce workers for jobs that will exist in our future society.” (Friedman, 2007) The Princeton economist also states that there is a requirement in the future that the work force needs to be flexible and capable of dealing with non-routine change. (Friedman, 2007) Friedman learned from Alan Blinder that the parents, educators and mentors of today and tomorrow need to focus on the importance “how we educate our children versus focusing merely on the volume of education.” (Friedman, 2007) Based on Friedman’s travel across international borders and his ability to interview Blinder, students, and other professionals in our diverse world, Friedman developed five skill sets or attitudes toward learning that will assist in synergizing our young generation for the future. These five skill sets are called “the right stuff.” (Friedman, 2007) Friedman sugg...
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...Duke does not mention the necessity for liberal arts education in addition to science and math to enhance the creative mind and global competitiveness. Duke University however does agree with Friedman that the United States’ engineers and scientists are under-paid and under-valued which creates a lack of excitement or drive for students to graduate in the sciences. Duke University and Friedman agree that increased excitement, increased education strategies, funding along with ambition can create the American dream and increase individual and global competitiveness. (Wadhwa, 2007)
Works Cited
Friedman, T. (2007). The World is flat. New York, NY: Picador.
Wadwha, Vivek. (2007). Seeing Through Preconceptions: A Deeper Look at China and India. Issues in science and technology online. Retrieved (2010, March 11) from http://www.issues.org/23.3/wadhwa.html
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College preparation is not the only area in which schools are failing students. According to Achieve, Inc. (2005), 39% of high school graduates in the workforce say that they have deficiencies. When asked about being prepared for future jobs, forty-six percent say that they are deficient in the skills needed. These shortcomings in the education system will escalate when in the next 10 years, 80% of job openings will require education or training past the high school level (Achieve, 2010). One third of jobs will require a bachelor’s degree. Lower educational attainment is a national problem. Competing countries now boast more workers with associates degree...
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Brad Henry, a former governor of Oklahoma, strongly stated that, “No other investment yields as great a return as the investment in education. An educated workforce is the foundation of every community and the future of every economy.” In today’s increasingly globalized society, there are more concerns about what jobs will be available for future generations and if economies will remain stable. There is a large consensus by experts and citizens of states that some solution must be made to ensure the stability and prosperity of future generations. In Thomas Friedman’s book, The World is Flat, Friedman suggests that for America to compete in a globalized world, there are certain gaps that need to be closed.
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The costs and benefits of an excellent education for all of America’s children. Teachers College, Columbia University Levin, Henry, Clive Belfield, Peter Muennig, and Cecilia Rouse. 2007.
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There are many important things children gain while growing up; the most important thing children gain growing up is their education. The educational skills children learn in school teach them the skills they need to perform outside of the classroom and in the workforce. With education being one of the most important gains in the lives of children, it has come to light how in recent years the United States has fallen further and further behind its peers in international rankings. According to the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) 2009 educational scores, the United States ranks “33” (1), which is lower than the 2002 ranking of “18” (CNN). With such a decrease in the United States ranking, parents wonder why American students are falling behind.
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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.