Started: August 16, 2023 | Finished: August 27, 2023
The World Is Flat
I love me a book that increases my understanding of the world around me. "The World is Flat" is that kind of a book.
"The World is Flat" is a pretty famous book, I've heard it mentioned but I've never bothered with it. Until the day I was in an economic discussion with my aunt and she made a particular perceptive point and I said "I didn't know that" or something to that effect, and she told me "Read 'The World is Flat." It took some time but I have finally gotten my hands on "The World is Flat" and I have read it.
The primary topic of "The World is Flat" is the impact of the information technology revolution on the world. Of how it has opened borders and made remote work possible as well as the creation of multi-country supply chains. It also talks about 9/11 and Islamic terrorism in a way that I found to be very enlightening. This book is also about the significant populations that are not being impacted by the information technology revolution.
I think everyone could be benefited by reading this book. Whether one is a member of an OECD country or the developing world. Whether one is a business owner or a salaryperson. This book was written in 2005 but it is still relevant for today. Not only does it describe this new 21st century arrangement that is increasingly becoming the global norm, it has advice for various players in this flat world.
There are a lot of gems in this book. One learning that I got concerned the beautiful capability of innovation to expand economies. This book shows that as new innovations hit the market, these innovations create new needs, needs that demand new resources, needs that create new jobs, needs that ultimately expand economies; it is a virtuous cycle that promises ever increasing abundance for its participants.
Another learning is about what, as workers in this new flat word we should all strive to be. Four options: special, specialists, anchored, or adaptable; each option is explained brilliantly as well as why they are options.
Friedman has a flowing conversational style but it's really the subject matter that has me rivetted. There are many topics in this book that I have been mulling about and wondering about for a long time and I really enjoyed that I finally get to learn about them.
Yes, I find this book both relevant and timely but there will come a time when events will overtake it. When that time comes "The World is Flat" will still be a worthwhile read this time as a history book; right now it's a guidebook, and chances are, if you decide to pick it up, just like me, you'll be able to get practical advice as well as a clearer view of the world we are living in.