The Flattening

The Flattening almost sounds like the next suspenseful blockbusting thriller.  In fact, Thomas Friedman definitely attempts to make his theory feel that way throughout his book The World is Flat 3.0.  He mentions each flattener and convergence like his story is about to reach an apex and even possibly a twist.  His method is exciting and interesting, while touching on a topic that I think all of us can relate to.  I welcome his call for adaptability.  Hopefully the rest of the U.S. can too.

My personal experience with Friedman’s flat world was during a previous job, where they offshored their manufacturing.  I was constantly involved with a group of engineers who were trying to design a new locking mechanism that would eventually be mass-manufactured in China.  I would initiated a video call where we could not only see and talk to each other, but also share collaborative documents, drawings, and models instantly.  Quickly I learned the process of Chinese product development, or lack thereof.  We would send a prototype of what we wanted to their chief engineer (who called himself John Wayne), they would send back a jumbled mess that slightly resembled a Picasso interpretation, and we would critique it.  Eventually with this back and forth we got close to what we wanted, but something that one of the top engineers said to me comes to mind during our current lesson.  “American manufacturers are screwed once the Chinese discover quality engineering.” 

Not only does this example demonstrate Friedman’s Offshoring, Uploading, and Steroids, but I think it can expand on his definition of In-forming.  I agree that the Information Age is defined by the availability of information, but I believe in-forming also is a repercussion of Offshoring.  We definitely sent quite a bit of expertise over to China when we moved our manufacturing and we were still providing them trade secrets when I left.  I can see how information, that’s not even available online, has followed businesses in their international transition.

I see Thomas Friedman’s 10 flatteners like any other innovation.  According to some the agricultural revolution, industrial revolution, and information revolution are completely natural occurrences in a free market.  Innovation or increase in technology will increase the productivity of human capital, which allows for greater investment and growth.  However, as Friedman points out, this change is exponential and now we are reaching a time where tremendous technological improvements are happening several times over a person’s lifespan.  This causes a problem with adaption.  In the U.S. our system to change policy isn’t known as fast.  I wonder how we will survive in an international climate where each year, or even month, changes so radically.

I enjoy his analysis of the globalized world, but here is a critical review of Friedman's book I found interesting.
http://www.nypress.com/article-11419-flathead.html

Let me introduce me...

I was waiting between classes in one of the IST lobbies and, as usual, passed the time by mindlessly reading a posting board.  There, I saw Dr. Tapia’s poster explaining all the benefits of taking IST 445H.  I won’t say that the post jump out and slapped me right back into focus.  However, the words “FREE TRIP TO WASHINGTON DC!” could catch the attention of even the most mindless gaze.  So upon re-reading and careful scrutinizing, because nothing at Penn State is free, I learned that this program was unique.  I guess the aspect I found most interesting is the course’s interdisciplinary appeal and wide spectrum of observation on policy making.
 
 

I’m usually fairly friendly so if you see me around say hello.  However, be sure to introduce yourself if I don’t know you already, since I will definitely wreck myself mentally trying to figure out who you are.  Between studying International Politics, DJing, and being around here for so long, more people tend to know me than I can recognize.  I also enjoy ultralight backpacking and running.  I’m actually attempting to survive a Spartan Race fairly soon, just for a harsh reality check.

My wedding DJ gigs have definitely taught me to enjoy a variety of music styles.  I went to Bonnaroo last year on impulse, which is a music festival down in Tennessee.  I enjoyed the music, which featured everything from GWAR to Blues Traveler, but did not enjoy the heat.  Coming from Rhode Island, I am used to much more temperate weather.  However, State College’s sporadic weather is fixed on kicking that out of me.

My focus and interest is National Security.  I’m especially interested in the intelligence community.  However, where I belong in that broad field is still being decided.  I currently work as a consultant in Business Intelligence/Competitive Intelligence, which has given me a perspective on industry and business that normally would have been hidden to me.  That experience brought me to start my own club focusing on investments in innovative technology that would have a footprint in impoverished countries.  The idea was to create sustainable change through market based practices.  To this day, this is something that I still feel is possible and not nearly researched enough.

I’ve participated in Lincoln Douglass debate, tennis, golf, and hiking clubs back in high school.  During the short time I was there, I reinstated Penn State York’s Model United Nations and served as a short term President.  Currently, I am not in any organizations or clubs.  Work and class has taken up much of my available time, however I’m still searching for the right cause to devote my attention.