After reading The World is Flat, I would have to say that I believe the world is flat as according to the author Thomas L. Friedman. Globalization has taken the world by storm and everything that we do in this world is done with technology. Ever since the world was introduced to the World Wide Web in 1993, we have spiraled in a new direction at a rapid speed, and we have yet to slow down. Technology has advanced so much that nowadays we do not need actual people to run a business and at that rate we are going a much flatter world. Thomas L. Friedman refers to the world being flattened while he was sleeping, and I believe that this is the case because it seems as though it happened overnite.
In my have opinion, the flattening of the world is due to globalization, but it all began with the internet. Locally and globally the Internet relates to many aspects of social life and is used in similar ways worldwide, hence the name World Wide Web. It is used for several different and a variety of activities including but not limited to successfully running a business s, social, personal and business communications, obtaining an education, entertainment and also illegal activities. There are thousands of different uses while surfing the web depending on the user. Access to the Internet is usually purchased from an Internet provider, such as but not limited to AOL, Verizon and Comcast, for a minimal fee. The internet exists with millions of users online everyday and new users joining daily. Any user of the Internet will benefit from its use in some way, whether it is for purposes of knowledge, something to do when one is bored, or just saying "Hello" to family or friends. Some friends and family primarily use the Internet to...
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...eir scruples. Well this was my reaction when I first began to read this book. After reading the first section of this book, the question that arises is what next? The world is transforming day by day, and we have made so many achievements due to globalization. When the internet came on the scene, who knew it would be as significant to our lives as it is. The fact that in over they can hold a conference in one room and only one person is there, while the others are connected through satellite and their location is not one but many other places around the world is amazing to me. I just think it is sad that because it is cost efficient for these companies that many people have lost their jobs to this people in these foreign countries. I just wish they could find a better way to improve this situation without people suffering and being jobless.
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The world is flat is written by Thomas Loren Friedman who is an American journalist and author. He goes on to write about how flat the world has become and the level of globalization achieved over the years. The journey to Bangalore India and the interaction he had with the Nadhan ‘Nielkani the CEO of Infosys technologies limited, in one of the conferences he attended as a part of the discovery crew. Where he witnesses how the
The World is Flat is a historical and geographical journey book because of the several trips that made by Friedman around the world to be able to analyze the concept of globalization in the 21st century . The title is an allegory to image the world today as a playground of play and competition between players , where each player has equal opportunities with the others. Friedman emphasizes the need for awareness of the countries ,peoples , companies and individuals in order to continue to compete in the market. Fred calls himself "free trader" because he is a believer of that change that will happen because of globalization. In the book, Friedman goes on a trip to India to discover that globalization can bring a radical change in the economic concepts .
Globalization’s shift to large scale production has forced companies to move towards localization, or expanding to other nations, and less standardization. Localization allows corporations to monopolize the power over cultures of other nations. In fact according to the World Bank’s World Development Report in 2000, of the world's 100 largest economic entities, 51 are now corporations and 49 are countries (Anderson, Sarah). National governments have lost their grasp on world power. The top corporations now suppress the combined economies of the countries and not to mention control the working conditions of countries they hold much influence over. Allowing these corporations to do as they please, charge what they want, and pay less than expected. After all how else would they be so powerful without excess profit? For example according to one source, 60% of the banana trade is controlled by only 3 companies and the all fami...
Is the world actually flat? According to Thomas Friedman’s book it is. He explored this notion when he took a trip to India, where he noticed the competition for global knowledge. Throughout his book “The World is Flat” he argues that there are ten forces that flattened the world, claimed the best interest for the United States’ is free trade, acknowledged what actions developing countries ought to implement, analyzed how flattening could flounder, and highlights the challenging framework of creativity developing across the globe today.
The phrase: "the world is flat" can be interpreted in many ways. Basically what Friedman means by "flat" is "linked." The falling of trade and political barriers and technical advances have made it possible to do business, instantaneously with billions of other people around the world. It has allowed for parts of the world, which had previously been cut off, like China and India, to successfully compete in the world market. Thus, the playing field is being leveled, and no one nation has an advantage. Friedman could also refer to a "flat world" in a metaphorical sense. In a spherical earth you cannot see around the world and cannot recognize the opportunities far from where you live. If the world were flat you could see it all. There would be no barriers to get in your way. This is the equivalent to a smaller globe which allows one to reach far away opportunities.
billion people off of the internet. This raises some question about how flat the world really got
Although it is becoming a rising topic, globalization is not new. The concept of globalization has existed from beginning of time, but gained most momentum when the earth was discovered not to be flat, and traveling east was possible by traveling west. This allowed countries to trade for any foreign product they once may not have had. Globalization integrates countries with different economies, societies, and cultures across the world into one global network, with the ultimate goal of one emerging economy (Ahearn). Globalization has been fueled by new trends in trading policies, technology, and the world supply of labor.
Competing philosophies over the same topic, is common place across the disciplines. This could not be truer with Florida (2005) and Friedman (2005). Although there is room for variation of interpretation of data, people generally write about what they know. This sometimes gets projected in a way that leaves little room for other perspectives, and goes to the question discussed in unit 2 about gaps of knowledge.
According to American journalist Thomas Freidman, our world is flat. In other words, Freidman argues that the world has become technologically dominated and with the help of technological advancement (for example, the internet), every country now has a fair chance to compete in the global market. I do agree with Friedman in the aspect that technology has brought the world closer together and created an invisible string tying together international trades and expansion of business globally. But I don 't believe that the world is flat, rather it is far from flat. I disagree with Freidman’s statement that every country has a fair chance in the market because the world is now flat. Instead, due to the globalization (flat world), more countries now have less of a
Nothing in life is free, including college. Many people feel that by offering tuition-free schooling we are not only creating another financial strain for our nation but we are also taking away the motivation students need to obtain a higher degree. Neither of these things are true. Bernie Sanders believes that it is a "national disgrace that hundreds of thousands of Americans don't go to school not because they aren't qualified but because they cannot afford it”, and Mr. Sanders is right. Tuition free schooling would be beneficial to thousands of students; it would be an absolute game changer—especially in the Yakima Valley. Our students would be given the opportunity to learn more than they ever thought possible due to free schooling (given
Arguments supporting the "flat world theory" come mainly from Friedman. His argument rests on the assumption of ten flatteners and a triple convergence. Friedman says that the power of new information technology has helped bring the world closer together and has made it more interconnected and interdependent (Friedman, 2005). More people now have access to this technological platform for education, innovation and entrepreneurship (Friedman, 2005). However, Florida (2005, p.51) argues that this flat playing field mainly affects the advanced countries, which see not only manufacturing work but also higher-end jobs. Other developing or undeveloped countries simply do not have the luxury of this connection and are left out of this technological platform. Florida (2005, p.51) contends that “...there are more insidious tensions among the world’s growing peaks, sinking valleys, and shifting hills”. This inequality is growing across the world and within countries.
... policies. People will continue to suffer in silence because of the world’s greed. So, while we enjoy our cheaply made goods and over consume the planet into demise, we never know of choose not to know the pain that went into the productions of those goods. Globalization may be championed as a gateway to financial growth for all nations, but only certain nations benefit from it. Global trading and integration has a negative effect on undeveloped nations and developed nations in many ways including; political systems, sovereignty, economy, way of life and much more. Earlier in the essay I asked ‘do the pros outweigh the cons when it comes to globalization’ and from my research I don’t see any real benefit. I don’t believe we should eliminate global business, but better the already lacking regulations and probably increase the standard of living equally for the world.
Friedman (2005), explains how “the flattening of the world happened at the dawn of the twenty-first century; what it means to countries, companies, communities, and individuals; and how governments and societies can, and must, adapt. The World Is Flat is the timely and essential update on globalization, its successes and discontents, powerfully illuminated by one of our most respected
Globalization’s history is extremely diversified and began during the beginning of civilization. Now we live in a world that is constantly evolving, demanding people to use resources in locations that are very difficult to obtain certain resources. This could make it completely impossible to operate in these specific parts of the world. However, globalization allows people across the world to acquire much needed resources. Globalization creates the opportunity for businesses to take advantage and exploit the ability to take part of their business to a different country. Nevertheless, globalization is part of today’s society and will be involved in virtually all situations.
In my focus group of 3 people I noticed that they all share similar stances on globalization and viewpoints of what the social, political and economic futures of what the world will look like. There was a unanimous belief that as the world continues to progress and develop there’s a forming ideology that the world is getting flatter. Ultimately meaning that it is getting easier and easier to share information, ideas, technology and resources across borders than it ever has been before. This fueled the discussion that