Module
6
Continuing reading into The World is Flat,
Friedman explains free trade and its importance to the flat world, the term new
middlers and where they fit in, and the concept of CQ+PQ>IQ and how this
concept plays an important role in future generations who will compete for jobs
on a global scale.
Free trade is a policy in which government does not
discriminate against imports or interfere with exports. It is the ability for countries to import and
export products with each other without restriction and paying additional costs
such as tarrifs. I think free trade is
very important. It helps to create a
global market. Consumers benefit from
the competition and variety of products brought to the market due to trading
with different countries. Also, jobs in
exporting and importing increase.
Consumers from different countries have income to spend on U.S. goods
that will help the economy of our country.
Finally, I think free trade helps to minimize war due to the mutual
respect that countries develop for each other by working together
professionally.
As the world continues to get more flat, Americans in the
future will have to compete for more jobs on a global scale. Whatever jobs that can be outsourced,
digitized, or automated will do so. Friedman
suggests that there are a lot of middle-class jobs today that are safe from the
globalization of the world. He refers to
the people at these jobs as the New Middlers.
These are the jobs in the middle that take advantage of the flat world. Jobs that involved direct collaboration
between companies, especially ones that employ a diverse work force from around
the world. A manager who can orchestrate
24/7/7 global supply chains for a global company is a good example of a new
middler. Because many new products will
be made in global supply chains, many new middle jobs will involve making
supply chains more efficient. New
middlers will need be versatile, be able to operate in, mobilize, inspire, and
manage a multidimensional and multicultural workforce. Being able to know how
to speak to people to explain and inspire will be a huge asset to set yourself
apart and become competitive in the flat world’s job market.
A new concept that Friedman explains is important to those
that will compete in the new flat world
is CQ+PQ>IQ. What this means is that
CQ, or curiosity quotient, and PQ, passion quotient is more important than
having IQ, intelligence quotient. Curious,
passionate kids are self-educators and self-motivators. In the flat world, the ability to educate
yourself is available throughout the web.
It’s up to your curiosity to expand your knowledge through such
means. The concept of CQ+PQ>IQ is
important because it inspires creativity and innovation, which are essential
tools to reach success in the flat world.
Friedman states that the inspiration for technological breakthroughs is
not always rooted in technological knowledge alone. Math and science classes
are important and necessary, but inspiration comes from art, music, theater,
and literature classes. Having an equal
level of education in all fields will help young people develop the skills that
are necessary to compete in the flat world.
The abilities that led to success in the business world are
shifting. Today it is more about
creativity and passion, rather than one’s intelligence.
I think that as technology advances and the world becomes
flatter, we will need to rethink our education and reevaluate which skill sets
will be an asset to this new world. We
need to focus on developing our people skills and forging relationships, a
skill that will prove to be vital and irreplaceable as more and more jobs begin
to become automated, digitized, and outsourced.
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