Tuesday, January 24, 2012
Ten Flatteners
Tom Friedman has ten flatteners which are: 1.) Collapse of the Berlin Wall, 2.) Netscape, 3.) Workflow Software, 4.) Uploading, 5.) Outsourcing, 6.) Offshoring, 7.) Supply-Chaining, 8.) Insourcing, 9.) In-forming, and 10.)The Steroids. I don’t think I have a specific one that intrigued me the most. I found a few of them to be interesting. He has really good points. It’s interesting to read someone of his generation’s perspective on all of the technological advances that have been made in the past ten years. When looking at In-forming which is about Google and how it is the most commonly used search engine and is being used by over one billion users a day compared to the 150 million users just a few years ago. Another one that was interesting was “uploading” I found this one to be right on the money because uploading and using software, blogs, and Wikipedia are essential for many people. I would even take it one step further and put social media such as twitter, Facebook, MySpace, and LinkedIn. He uses the term “most disruptive force of all” I believe that all the new forms of social media have disrupted this generation. People have become so reliant on social media for a way of communication, which brings me to another good point he brings up. His number ten flattener is “The steroids” I thought this name was particularly different for what he was talking about but it makes sense. Things such as iphones, ipads, blackberries, Skype, and wireless. I know that for me all of these things are revolutionary. When he is talking about this it made me think of how relationships would be formed without the internet and text messaging. A lot of relationships at my age are a cyber relationship. When you’re not with the significant other you are texting. It is sad that you just have to get a phone that can use internet and you can be connected to so many things at once. I think the reason I liked all three of these is because they were about technology which is taking over the globe so it is a fascinating topic right now.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Jensen I enjoyed reading your blog, It seemed you had a little bit of a different approach at the assignment than I did but nonetheless your points are very valid. I like how you went on the develop how social media is tampering the world as we know it. Back in the day a simple face to face meeting was the only way to have meetings, now its almost more common to do so over the phone etc. People even gossip about one another more because instead of actually getting first hand information they are getting skewed perception through Facebook and twitter and other social media. The world is defiantly becoming more and more flat everyday.
ReplyDeleteHi Jensen I thought you brought up some very good points in your blog. I also think it is different to hear from a person from an older generation about the topic of technology. He does have some very good points and he defiantly believes that technology is a world flattener. Social media as you said is becoming huge now and is growing and that defiantly allows for the entire world to be connected. As for smart phones I don’t believe that I could even figure those things out because I am not used to that kind of phone. It’s not bad not being connected to the internet on your phone and it allows for me to not rely so much on technology so much. But don’t get me wrong those phones are great but I feel that many people live through their phones and can’t be with out them.
ReplyDeleteJensen I absolutely agree with what you are saying, the term “most disruptive force of all” is dead on. Facebook, twitter and youtube have destroyed our generation and the one coming after. I also agree with what you said about cell phones and cyber relationships. Is it possible to create a relationship without texting, facebook or email? To me it's sad but I couldn't imagine not texting or emailing. I think you did a great job!
ReplyDelete