The World is Flat

The world is flat idea comes from Thomas Friedman. The world meaning, the world as a level playing field in terms of commerce, where all competitors have an equal opportunity. Back in 1995 is when the flat world theory began and we didn't even realize it. People were able to collaborate and connect with people in the cheaper ways than ever before. Friedman wrote a book on the world is flat and explained all of his ideas. The idea he intended to make was very simplistic. It is the concept that since everyone is now able to be connected to the Internet in some way, we can all be tied together. In 1995, the first Netscape browser was created. This was the first ways in which a browser tied the world together globally. The browser was a took that could be used across the world! Before Netscape was created, everyone still relied on communication through phones and writing letters. But when Netscape came along, it created a whole new revolution that is now referred to as the Internet.

Friedman likes to use the term, "what can be done, will be done" in the video many times. What he means by this is that being connected to all of this IT and knowledge management, anything you want to be done, can be done! You have all the tools at your fingertips, it is how you use those tools to your advantage that will make you successful. If you are trying to manufacture or sell goods at cheaper prices, then all you have to do is jump on the Internet and search for new ways. Before the Internet, countries were not able to connect easily. When the Internet came along, these countries were able to connect instantly. People in different countries were able to manage, share, collect, and use data with each other. Anyone who wanted to take advantage of this, could jump on the Internet and have their way with this knowledge! Friedman suggested that everyone was neighbors with this new revolution, because there were no boundaries when it came to sharing knowledge and everyone had access!

In today's world, we no long rely on TVs or newspapers to get our information. Almost everyone you know is connected to the Internet and this is how they stay up to date with news and information. This is also how the majority of the world shares and acquires knowledge. Technology and advancements in communications have made it to where people on the other side of the world are more accessible and a flat world seems more accessible than a round one. Sustaining a competitive edge is becoming hard and harder in today's society because everyone is connected to the Internet. Any access that one business has to information via Internet, another business has the same opportunity.

Google and other search engines are the prime example of being able to get information instantly. Friedman quotes, "Never before in the history of the planet have so many people, on their own, had the ability to find so much information about so many things and about so many other people." The growth of search engines is tremendous and constantly growing.  Google is now processing roughly one billion searches per day which is up from 150 million just three years ago. Since everyone has access to all of this changing technology and evolving data and knowledge, Friedman states it is important for the United States to keep updating its work skills. Friedman argues if we continue to make the work force more adaptable, then it will become more employable. He also suggests that the government should make it easier to switch jobs by making retirement benefits and health insurance less dependent on one's employer. For example, provide insurance that would partly cover a possible drop in income when changing jobs. Friedman also believes there should be more inspiration for youth to be scientists, engineers, and mathematicians due to a decrease in the percentage of these professionals being American. If we as Americans take advantage of this, we do not have to look at the corporate world for the next big idea or accomplishment. At any time, present or future, any one individual could be leading the innovation of the world. This platform gives more equal opportunities for individuals to compete globally and be successful as a whole nation or individually.