Thomas Friedman Case Study

Jennifer Thompson
Palm Beach State College

The World is Flat 3.0

Agree or Disagree?

Friedman states that there are three different types of globalization that have occurred throughout history. The first being globalization 1.0 which was from 1492 to the 1800s. Then it was globalization 2.0 which began in the 1900s and ended around the turn of the twenty-first century. Then it was globalization 3.0 which began around the year 2000. Friedman stated that the scariest part of this globalization process is that it is built around individuals. Globalization 3.0 allows individuals to compete, connect and collaborate globally as individuals. This allows for equal opportunity for everyone to take part. Several flatters took place to make this current globalization possible such as computers, the creation of the Netscape browse, along with the revolution in connectivity. As computers became more popular software became more compatible for individuals and streamlined processes which allowed individuals to collaborate globally. The flatteners combined created the digital revolution that we have become so accustomed to today. Being able to take a photo, upload it to your computer and send through e-mail globally has opened many doors for people to communicate and word in a global environment. I agree with Friedman’s assessment that the world is flat. Without the advancement in technology the things such as e-mail or global communication might not have been possible. Without the use of computers and streamlined software for global use global business might not have been possible. These things have to had taken place for us to achieve global communication.
Potential Impacts The potential impacts of a flat world for a student performing a job search are how anyone all over the world is able to search for the same job. Using keywords and the job searching websites will generate the same results for all individuals searching in that field. It could make it harder for an individual to obtain a job where there are now more candidates applying. Job seekers have access to so much more information where they can look