The World Is Flat - Moudle 9

From beginning to end the construction of a personally ordered Dell laptop computer requires so much more than meet s the eye. Orders are sent to the one of Dell’s six different factories around the world. The factories are located in Ireland, China, Brazil, Tennessee, Texas and Malaysia.  Each factory is surrounded by logistic centers that are located in the perimeter of the factory. The challenge of these supplier logistic centers (SLCs) is to be able to keep required material on hand to fill a myriad of orders. The laptop can be ordered online, in a store or by phone. Then designed by engineers at another site. “This global teamwork brings an added benefit – a globally distributed virtually twenty-four-hour-per-day development cycle.” (pg. 582) This amazing coordination and synchronization from order to the delivery at someone’s home is one of the many wonders produced at the hand of the “flat world”

Another concept that has been honed and perfected in our newly “flat world” is the ability of the terrorist network, Al Qaeda, to not only propagate their concepts but they are able to grow and thrive thanks to the characteristics of our “flat world”. Individual cells of the Al Qaeda network may be physically independent. They may be required to supply their own physical needs, but one thing that a terrorist network of this magnitude always needs is more people that are willing to sacrifice their lives for a cause. The internet has allowed “the small to act big, and the way it enables small acts – the killing of a few people- to have big effects.” (Page 597)  What the publicity that the internet provides to these small acts is that it allows “terrorists to transmit their terror”. The internet is an amazing tool of news and information, and at the hand of everyone, including terrorists, they are able to propagate their cause and their ideas and information is accessible by others of like mind with great ease.

Thomas Friedman profoundly pinpoints one of the problems of having great money. In his chapter portion regarding “The Curse of Oil” he explains that as long as individuals, families and dictators rule countries that are rich in oil are allowed to depend on their oil for sustenance. These rulers never have to communicate or rely on the citizens of their country so “the relationship between ruler and ruled is highly distorted.” (pg 626)  Mr. Friedman suggests that the reason that these countries often do not have strong institutions is because they have never had to tap interest and energy from the actual people of their society. The concept that Muslim countries make up about 20% of the world  population while only accounting for 4%of the worlds trade is an interesting viewpoint relating their inactivity in trade is unequivocal to their population.

OPINION

I had strong negative feelings regarding the book, The World is Flat. My first opinions were skeptical at best, but as I read, and Thomas Friedman was given time and as he adequately explained his position, I may not have come to believe all of his opinions, but I definitely do see how and where his ideas come from. His mind is a remarkable mind, and I believe that all people who plan to work and grow in our new “Flat World” I am grateful for the opportunity that I would never have provided for myself, but that was thrust upon me. I believe that I will always view the world and business in this world differently after reading this book.

Personal Computer Education Essay - Module 8

Computers are not as much of a luxury anymore, they are a necessity. In a world that is becoming increasingly reliant on technology and instant communication. The online computer is now a necessity in most homes. Computers have already proven themselves to be invaluable to me in my education process. I use computers to complete assignments, to communicate with educators, for tutoring and for research. 

            Gone are the days of notebooks and binders. Today most syllabuses are stored online for students to refer to at their convenience. This saves the time and cost of printing, and the added convenience to students for instant perusal. Often I will receive and complete entire assignments online. I am able to complete research and find information for any topic that I have yet to have studied. I can use my computer as a word processor and find, copy and past quotes and statistics to verify that the sources that I used are properly sited. 

            Students used to have to wait for an appointment to be able to spend time with a teacher discussing a specific paper or a specific topic that may have been discussed in class. Now teachers can make themselves available for discussion online. The internet allows me to be able to communicate with teachers regarding questions and comments on some of my assignments. It also allows me to view my profile as a student and communicate with related offices to my tenure as a student. It’s the perfect place to complete school communications, because that’s where the majority of the modern students spend their time.

            I receive tutoring online. I am able to communicate with a tutor who can view my work and comment, and teach me some of the skills that I need to learn. This type of tutoring is best for me as a student, because the internet allows it to happen at my convenience. I don’t have to fit my life into a schedule, but rather I can fit my schedule around my life. I can post my work for review by a tutor and come back and read their corrections and comments at my convenience. It’s the best of both worlds. They do not have to wait for me. I do not have to wait for them.

            I have never had online classes. I know some students who have and they feel that they get the same education or better out of online classes as they would if they were actually and physically in the classroom. These online classes allow students to take classes at their own convenience. If they are able to have a good paying steady job, they do not have to limit or hinder that job, but can take courses online to bolster their career while not adversely affecting that career at all.

            I finished my first two years of college out of the United States. My major was Computer Networks and Operating Systems. Of course these courses relied heavily on computer interaction and knowledge. They taught me not only how by why it is best to work with computers who are linked to provide the best work skills for a job.

            In a world that is becoming increasingly small and connected or as author Thomas Friedman would say- “flat” it is no longer a matter of “if” or “when” computers will be integrated with education, because they already are, and students and school will need to stay current to be able to best provide their students with the abilities that will best equip them to navigate the new webbed world.

The World is Flat - Module 7

Finally, concepts and terms are able to be introduced that answer the questions that have been politically incorrect to ask up until now. The question and concept that underdeveloped or underachieving countries do not seem able to handle or deal with globalization is an idea that has crossed many minds, but has, up until now, been left unasked.

In economics, comparative advantage is not allowed to consider the implications of culture on a countries ability or desire to achieve at the same level or at a higher level than some other countries.

It is not that a c condescending attitude is being taken toward these countries that do not seem able to excel at the same level as other countries, it is just a fact. Just as any other factors into an equation, the ability of a culture to be able to accept foreign or global ideas and to apply them to their own cultural practices is coined as glocalization. This marriage of terms suggest and embraces the idea that cultures that are best able to apply foreign concepts to their own established concepts will be best equipped to survive and thrive in the new and flat world. This idea that local customs can be melded with global concepts to benefit the country is not new, but can be limiting to cultures who are not prepared to accept outside ideas.

One of the things that has drastically changed the playing field in companies is the fact that contemporary consumers are offered the convenience and luxury of being able to customize their own product in a way that best suits them. In the global economy of the internet, consumers are permitted, even encouraged, to the actual price and service directly to their desires. Companies that have allowed such customization have enjoyed the continued success in an ever-changing economy. I would say that I am probably about one half to two thirds completely a self-directed consumer. Much of my purchases are already made on-line. Seldom do I require special attention in an order, however if the need for a custom order arises, I am often put out if my accommodations cannot be met. Many purchases that I make are not important enough to warrant customization, but some are, an in those cases, I believe that I am a self-directed consumer. 

The topic of globalization and the high profile that America has had in the global economy and culture leads to the question of the relevance in globalization of America. I believe that globalization is the next step leading away from imperialism. Just as European imperialism led into American Imperialism, I believe that American imperialism has definitely led to globalization. This globalization may have been conceived in American board rooms, it may look very similar to its American parents, but it has orphaned itself from many American concepts when it chooses to adopt so many foreign ideas. Globalization is not at all Americanization; it is way too much more than that. It has grown beyond the confines of Americanization and is now looking back to its American heritage and revealing the inadequacies of America to fulfill the global concepts that are entailed in globalization.

We can argue the initiation of global concepts and the nurturing of these concepts and the ability of countries to be able to benefit from their presence, but all of the implications of globalization point to the idea that it is morphing on its own and in directions that cannot be predicted or determined. It is our responsibility as “self-directed consumers” to encourage change when it is good and decent and to discourage changes that will ultimately be the demise of this new era. This responsibility does not seem that daunting until one has full view of the terrain of the present and the direction of the future.

The World Is Flat- Module 6

English economist, David Ricardo, developed the free trade theory in which he stated that if each country did what they do best, and then traded with other countries that did the same, it would be mutually advantageous economically. I most certainly agree that free trade is important and in the best interest in the future of America. Isolationism and excluding ourselves from an already quickly moving and changing economy will only hurt us in the long run. To enable our citizens to be able to continue to compete and even to thrive in the new global economy free trade is crucial and should not be threatened.

As we realize our part in this new economy and to maintain a leadership role as the globe redefines economy and trade we need to be able to perform jobs that will keep us in the game. These new middle jobs are less susceptible to downsizing or outsourcing as previous manufacturing jobs were in the past. New middlers are people who can successfully collaborate, orchestrate, synthesize, leverage and explain. They can adapt, personalize, localize. They are green people who are passionate, and often they are people who love math. They are people who are unique and have unique skills to survive as these affects beyond their control take place.

One thing that cannot be taught, however, but most definitely must be changed and addressed in American workers is their motivation. Friedman addresses one thing that cannot be denied about the modern workers in the new flat world. His mathematical equation clearly states their superiority to typical traditional citizens before the world became so flat.

CQ=PQ>IQ

            We often attempt to measure things, in the case of people’s ability to contribute and think has been measured as intelligence quotient. Intelligence is important, but there have been example after example that proves that it is not brain power that matters as much as passion and drive. Friedman proposes that the worker that has curiosity quotient and passion quotient are far more valuable because they are most likely to thrive and survive.

           

            Friedman has explained that to remain major players in our new globally flat economy, we must be able to do things that others cannot do. We must become valuable in ways that others cannot. We must be strongly motivated to find a niche in this economy and be able to thrive. We cannot rely on intelligence this time; we must cultivate curiosity within ourselves and within our children. We must find passion to ensure that we are not a casualty that is abandoned and discarded in a world that is quickly changing.