Yesterday, I finally finished Thomas Friedman's book "The World is Flat". What an amazing book!

In the book, he described all of the changes going on today--how India and China are rising and that everyone should be prepared for all of the new changes. He talked about the ten forces that are flattening the world (including outsourcing, offshoring, supply-chaining) and the triple convergence (instead of a vertical hierarchical system, the world is increasingly corresponding horizontally or from a bottom-up approach). More and more collaboration will (and is) occurring with different countries, providing new relationships that were considered impossible before.

Friedman also described globalization and outsourcing in a way that I never thought of before. He described both terms as positive: if America doesn't outsource its inefficient jobs/deeds to India, China, or wherever, then it will not leave enough room for Americans to dream and imagine new creations which would inspire new jobs.

However, the trick in the future is how to prepare for this "flat" world. Americans have to catch up with their science and mathematical skills--we are falling further behind than other countries in producing students/workers with sufficient technological and mathematical skills. We have to learn how to be, as Friedman suggested, specialized, flexible, and employable for life.

We also have to learn how to bring in individuals and groups who feel oppressed in this increasingly "flat" world. How do we bring in individuals whose society is resistant to change? How do we make them great contributors to the world as well? As Friedman also pointed out, how do we take people who have been "humiliated" by their governments/other governments and make them feel valued in society?

At times like this, it makes me wish that I was born with great science, mathematics, and/or technology skills. It would make my life a lot more easier because those skills are needed and more valued in our society. I just wish I had better training when I was growing up...we don't need another liberal arts graduate in the world (he he!)

Anyway, go out and read this book!