The World Is Flat: A Brief History of the Twenty-first Century

Keywords: Thomas L. Friedman, globalization, outsourcing, 21st century

Thomas Friedman asks:
"Globalization has collapsed time and distance and raised the notion that someone anywhere on earth can do your job, more cheaply. Can Americans rise to the challenge on this leveled playing field?"

"Globalization 1.0 (1492 to 1800) shrank the world from a size large to a size medium, and the dynamic force in that era was countries globalizing for resources and imperial conquest.

Globalization 2.0 (1800 to 2000) shrank the world from a size medium to a size small, and it was spearheaded by companies globalizing for markets and labor. Globalization 3.0 (which started around 2000) is shrinking the world from a size small to a size tiny and flattening the playing field at the same time. And while the dynamic force in Globalization 1.0 was countries globalizing and the dynamic force in Globalization 2.0 was companies globalizing, the dynamic force in Globalization 3.0 -- the thing that gives it its unique character -- is individuals and small groups globalizing.

Individuals must, and can, now ask: where do I fit into the global competition and opportunities of the day, and how can I, on my own, collaborate with others globally? "
Link
Source: NY Times Magazine

Interview:
Why the World Is Flat - Wired

Discuss:
AlwaysOn

Reviews:
Getting Flat, Part 1 - Linux Journal
Getting Flat, Part 2 - Linux Journal

News:
Thomas L. Friedman - Google News
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Thomas L. Friedman - Topix.net

Blogs:
Thomas L. Friedman - Technorati
enduring Friedman

Opinion:
The Transcontinental Railroad - Singularity Watch
Revenge of the Right Brain - Wired
Sinking Globalization
Moore's Lore - Corante
Thomas P.M. Barnett
Global Guerrillas

Globalization:
Foreign Affairs
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Globalist
Center For Strategic & International Studies
RAND
Globalization - About.com
Yale Global
Open Source Diplomacy

Outsourcing:
Six Blind Men and the Offshoring Elephant - Part 1 of 18 - Viewpoint of an Entrepreneur
Outsourcing - Topix.net
Outsourcing news - Moreover
The Outsourcing Weblog
Outsourcing Times
Workplace - CNET News
Offshoring Digest
Offshore Outsourcing World

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Existential Risks

Audio:
Thomas Barnett - IT Conversations

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Sloan School of Management - MIT OpenCourseWare
How ASPs Work - HowStuffWorks