Module 9: Chapters 13-17

The computer company Dell has an ingenious system of providing computers to the public. Though, computers are a complicated machine, Dell has simplified the production process into an incredibly efficient supply chain. So efficient that every individual part is stocked for a purpose and supplied with precision timing. Someone yearning to grasp their part of the flat world will see an ad for Dell begin the purchase like this: a customer orders a computer providing contact information, shipping information and payment. Also, at order, the customer customizes exactly what hardware and software they want included in their system. When the initial order is complete Dell sends it to one of the six factories it has in different parts of the world. That factory then sends orders to suppliers with warehouses near the factory for all the specific parts to be delivered within an hour and a half. Those suppliers must keep enough supply on hand in order to not lag when Dell demands the parts it needs. In order to protect against falling behind, Dell uses many different manufacturers for each component to make up for any issues that one supplier may have. As soon as the parts arrive at the Dell factory, they are unloaded and sent to certain assembly lines where each computer is built specific to the customers order and loaded with the requested software. Finally they are packaged for shipping and loaded onto a plane to start the delivery of the final product to the new owner, all in a matter of days.

            Al-Qaeda understands how a supply chain works and uses it to its full potential. A supply chain is a way for someone to collaborate horizontally with other people to get the things they want even if it is on the other side of the world. By using a supply chain someone can organize other people to produce something, ship it around the world and put it to use without ever leaving that spot. The flat world allows them to do that by shrinking the world to being easily within their reach. Al-Qaeda put their supply chain to use to carry out the 9/11 attacks. They obtained any supplies and funds they needed over the internet, tapped into talent and services offered in other countries, gained the education necessary to deliver the final product, and the leaders gave the go ahead safe from their office on the other side of the world. Wal-Mart proves that they can collect goods from all over the world and distribute them to their stores without ever leaving Arkansas and al-Qaeda can collect information from all over the world distribute fear to their targets without ever leaving their base as well.

            The curse of oil is a type of tunnel vision. Countries that have been drilling and selling oil for so long are stuck with it because that is all they know what to do. They make so much money that they do not need to venture out and take on more responsibility. I am sure when Bahrain ran out of oil and were forced to consider other options of income, they were glad to get out of the hole of oil because they had a reason to improve their economy rather than rely on one thing because it was easy. The worst thing someone could let happen to themselves or even a country is becoming blocked from innovation because of their inability to use their imagination. In conclusion of the book Thomas Friedman says, “The most important competition is now with yourself” (Friedman 635).

Module 8 Computers in Education

I grew up in a small town. One where we compared our town to the next one over based on how many traffic lights we had. It was pretty exciting when a computer repair store opened up. My brothers and I would ride our bikes there and pay per hour to play computer games. The elementary school I went to jumped on the technology train right away and got a couple of those black and green screened Apple computers with programs to practice math problems and word games. From then on computers in school became part of the curriculum rather than a useful tool. At first, they were helpful to hone skills like math and English that we applied somewhere else, but eventually the focus was turned directly to the computer itself and improving computer skills because jobs in the future would require that as well.

I witnessed some of the old ways being updated to the new ways. Since I grew up during the time that education was really making the switch to the computer age, I saw classrooms being turned into computer labs. In my seventh grade English class I was required to use pen for everything and always write in cursive. Then I would go to my typing class where I needed to get faster and more accurate because my teacher told us that soon every document for school would be typed. I remember thinking that wouldn’t happen because computers were for games, but now I can tell which one stuck. I was always drawing and coloring when I was younger and when my mom got a computer at home for school I began drawing on the computer. In middle school I took a drafting class and learned how to make prints with a pencil, compass, and ruler and it was hard to draw a perfect circle. Then, in junior high, I had another drafting class where we used a computer and it was impossible not to draw a perfect circle. I used to make flip books and short cartoons with pencil and paper. When I finished high school, I wanted to be an animator and started learning more computer animation, especially in 3-D. As I grew up, it seemed like technology was evolving right under my finger tips. Now that a lot of my education was centered around a keyboard, it really was. 

Not only was the way class was functioning changed, but the material being taught as well. The internet opened up so many new resources and huge amounts of information. Before, if we had to do a report on a country and two kids picked the same one, then the same report was given twice because there was only one encyclopedia the library. A few years ago, I took an auto repair class and we had to do some research to explain how different systems of a car worked. When we shared what we found in class, even the teacher learned new things because the were so many different sources each student was using from the internet. 

The computer has even extended my education. Before, when I was done with class and not at the school, I was done learning. Now, if I have more questions or still curious about something, I can continue learning at home. I can look up websites and articles, find local events or business associated with that subject, and even find more information in the library’s catalog and request a book from a different town to be delivered to my local library. 

We will never be without computers again, so we will continue to update and improve our education along with the technology. I agree with Thomas Friedman that individuals have the power to compete like they are big in a flat world. Computers have made that possible so our education is not only more reliant on computers and the tools they offer but it is essential that we collect as much of that power for ourselves as we can. Computers have sped up education and created more depth in the amount of information we are exposed to, so we have to work harder to keep up with the ever changing technology.

Module 7: Ch. 10-13

            Globalization is having different effects on different countries. The countries quickest to act on a level playing field are reaping the greatest benefits while countries that used to have more economic are fading into less significant contributors. Each country has different advantages over the others like location and resources but even one that lacks in some areas can still thrive in others. There is no secret recipe for success, but there are consistencies in the most productive countries that are a good direction to start with. The best strategy sets priority on infrastructure, education, and government.

            First of all, in order to compete in a flat world you have to be flat yourself. Some countries are upgrading their technologies and the way to connect within the country and outside it better than others. Those with the most internet availability and the ability to use it will have an advantage over those that do not. Next, since jobs are being handed out to the lowest bidder, it is better to have more education. Cheap manufacturing jobs and those that require labor but not a lot of brains are going to those with the cheapest prices. The jobs where the money is at are for collaboration and innovation that require more education. The countries with the best education system in place and taking advantage of education available around the world will have an advantage over others. Finally, companies need support getting the resources they need to run a successful business while consumers need help to ensure good prices and business practices. An assertive but not overbearing government will set some countries above the rest. Some governments are only interested in their personal gains while others understand that the right amount of regulation will encourage a strong economy in the country and out.

Globalization 1.0 and 2.0 were top-down systems. The elites in charge chose what everybody got and that was final. Globalization 3.0 gives more power to the individual and the tools to talk back. Consumers are the ones making decisions now. They are the “self-directed consumers.” Rather than walking into a store and taking the only option off the shelf available, now the customer can get exactly what they want from anywhere they want. The flatteners make it easier and cheaper to customize what you buy. The customer can search for other stores nearby that might have a better option, or they can find someone in another country that offers what they want even at a cheaper price. The way they really have power to affect the business they want to deal with is by giving feedback and opinions. The internet has made companies more transparent and easy to track and learn about. It has also made them more accessible and easier to submit feedback or praise which the company may not have though of themselves and incorporate a change into its model.

Other countries will feel the pressure of American culture on them as globalization grows. Globalization is not happening just because of America but Americans are spreading it the fastest. Because we have the freedom to think of new ideas and push our imaginations to the limit, usually it is an outward push of American culture that begins here because we are at the forefront of the global economy. America stands out as the first one to take advantage of it so for a while other countries will adopt more American traits. But, as more people in different cultures get connected and flatten with the rest of the world, it will be easier for them to preserve and spread their culture as well. American culture will be popping up in other countries and more of their culture will be present in America. It will become more balanced out with time.

Module 6: Ch. 5-9

            As Friedman wraps up all the ways that the world is flattening and what a flat world looks like, he is now curious how the global markets will change and what jobs will be available. 200 years ago, David Ricardo purposed that countries will specialize in an industry and trade for specializations of other countries, but now it seems like other countries are specializing in taking work away from the United States. More countries are opening up their doors to trade with others in the world and it is allowing for more trade of goods and services including the jobs that go with them. Free trade is what allows transactions to go back and forth so fluidly. It is free because instead of strict taxes and restrictions on products, rules are loosened on the exports and imports making it easier for companies to be free to buy and sell to whoever they want.

            Free trade is important for how the world works today. The markets to sell new products are limitless because when everybody buys the latest thing an even newer one is just coming out, ready to bring in the next round of profits. The openness of free trade allows ideas to spread further around the world which will benefit more people. Something made in America could be sold in China that will inspire someone there to create a new product and sell it in America. If we were stuck with customers in the same area, new ideas would not be on such high demand. This cycle that includes more people inspires more innovation and creates new opportunities where we did not know they existed.

            In this new market, it takes more than just a strong back to survive. There is more demand for a strong mind and personality. Machines are replacing people in the workplace all the time, whether it is a robot that can work faster or a computer that can “think” faster. With globalization 3.0 the individual has to prove why they are valuable rather than just holding a job at a company that is valuable. A company that designs a product can hire someone to make it, but now they can choose who and where is the cheapest to get the work done. A middler is someone trying to find a way to stay valuable. They are untouchable because they are unique in a way no one else can copy. The way middlers survive is their ability to adapt quickly in a fast changing market and work with others well. They need to always be improving their skills and upgrading their education in order to keep up with the markets. They also have to be well rounded with more than one skill so they not only can adapt to changes quickly but also apply more than one way of thinking to solve an issue. With so much power in the hands of the individual, the other opportunity middlers are taking advantage of is helping other people get in on the globalization. They are explaining how to use the technology or finding ways to connect a new small business to the rest of the world. It’s the face to face personality that machines cannot replace. At least, not yet.

            Middlers are creating value by breaking out of the box of being just a laborer. They have found that passion and creativity are more valuable than just book smarts. Friedman suggests the formula: PQ+CQ>IQ, passion quotient plus curiosity quotient is greater than intelligence quotient. Why has the economy made this shift? Tangible goods and services that take brains are being shipped off to the lowest bidder. The one thing that creates value, and in turn more jobs, is an idea. The best ideas come from taking what we already do to the next level. Employers are looking for people that are passionate about their job and curious enough to investigate further for innovation. Innovation is what drives the market. So, be ready to put more imagination and effort into earning a paycheck.