I have mixed feelings after reading TWiF. Don’t get me wrong, I think it’s
an excellent book, and as you’ll see in a moment, I believe it’s an important
read.
The problem, if that’s what you want to call it, is that it didn’t really
challenge me. I pretty much agree with everything that the author is saying. I
found myself thinking, “yep, yer right” over and over again.
The premise of the book is simply that due to our advancements in technology
– most notably the internet – the world is getting effectively “flatter”. More
people in more diverse regions of the planet are being empowered to
collaborate, and compete, in the global market.
I’ve remarked to several people in recent years that the world is getting
smaller – essentially the same thing. I regularly get tech questions from around the planet. My wife
regularly sells dolls and ships them
around the world – not infrequently back over the very ocean that they came
across in the first place. I communicate regularly with family and friends over
seas – often more that friends a mere fraction of the distance away.
I’ve had to start thinking about time zones. (Haven’t you?)
So naturally, while it’s easy for me to endorse this book, because it echoes
so much of what I already believe, as a personal read … while I felt
validated, I didn’t really feel educated.
I will say that I am probably an aberration. Folks who are concerned about
globalization, the world economy and forces that are playing out as the world
gets flatter (or smaller) should read this book.
Or, to put it another way, more people should believe what I believe. 🙂 Or
at least think about it. Certainly Friedman puts together a package much better
than I ever could.
If any aspect of TWiF stretched my thinking it was the analysis of Islam,
and the role it does, doesn’t, can, could, but often chooses not to play in the
world economy.
Most definitely food for thought.