Thomas Friedman’s The World is Flat: A Revealing Non-partisan Look at the World

Thomas Friedman’s The World is Flat, unlike many books that are fairly difficult reading for the novice, is more likely to wake you up than to put you to sleep. Friedman makes events that seem commonplace, like low pricing at Walmarts’ have much wider implications,driving market forces and changing the way products are made. He describes a world where the internet has literally leveled barriers.

The average American, either amused or annoyed by the slight accent of somenone handling their travel reservation from India, half a world away, does not realize the wider implications of that fact; that a large number of techo-savvy people in countries like India are able to do jobs for us more cheaply, more efficiently, and more happily than the average American worker.

Freidman honestly addresses the lack in ambition and education that could set America behind in the near future if not addressed,as these foreign works,no longer limited by their geography or national resources, and far more motivate than those in “leisure societies” surge ahead in the new work world of commerce and comunication.

Freidman’s explanation of how these global forces can be used for positive change, but also contirubited to the success and growth of terrorism, poses challenges. He suggest a serious nationawide initiative by the government to reduce dependence on fossil feuls ( not just foreign oil) that would be similar to America’s response to Sputnik inthe 50’s.

Above all, he cites the reason why we need to improve education in science and technology and muses upons ome future results of the change, which are similar to a future projected by Karl Marx- a world where there is a struggle between the bourgeousie and the workers. HIs book is food for thought and should be required reading.