Started:8/15/2013
Completed:8/30/2013
Recommendation:Mild Recommendation for non-IT folk
Recommended By: Kwang Kim
Review:
The author urgently, stridently wants you to understand that the world is changing really quickly and the repercussions are enormous. If you are in the IT industry (and possibly the banking industry) then you already know this and the wealth of examples that Thomas Friedman provides of the same concept over and over are simply slices from a life you already lead. In that sense, this book is not necessarily helpful. On the other hand, it is nice to have all of the different "flattening" components laid out before you.
The book is dated, but there is a 2.0 version that updates the details. In point of fact, the important thing here is not the specific set of details that substantiate the concept of a flattening world, but the overarching concept that technology is a driver. One can get on board and leverage technology or get left behind. I question whether the United States itself is at risk over this issue...surely the US has been in the driver's seat for quite some time and the fact that it is being overtaken in some areas is an indicator that failing to jump aboard for whatever careening ride is imminent is not fatal. It is worth noting, however, that there is a substantially increasing gulf between those who embrace technology and those who shun it. It seems clear that shunning is likely to be bad. In my opinion it is premature to conclude that embracing technology in all its forms is automatically a good thing. I think that there is value in thought and the pace at which technology is increasing is not matched by societal efforts to comprehend the implications. This book is a journalists effort (a documentation of the phenomenon in the moment) and has tremendous value in that capacity. It is not, however, a philosophical understanding of the underlying technology nor is it a sociological analysis of the future of technology, it feels like a race car driver explaining why the newest fuel is the best.
I give this book a mild recommendation because I think it is unlikely to change anyone's opinion. Those who agree from the outset will find validation. Those who disagree (particularly fundamental Muslims) will find the book offensive and that will lead to the book being uncompelling. Moderates on all sides might be swayed one way or the other, I cannot tell, so I offer a mild recommendation.
Started:8/15/2013
Completed:8/30/2013
Recommendation:Mild Recommendation for non-IT folk
Recommended By: Kwang Kim
Review:
The author urgently, stridently wants you to understand that the world is changing really quickly and the repercussions are enormous. If you are in the IT industry (and possibly the banking industry) then you already know this and the wealth of examples that Thomas Friedman provides of the same concept over and over are simply slices from a life you already lead. In that sense, this book is not necessarily helpful. On the other hand, it is nice to have all of the different "flattening" components laid out before you.
The book is dated, but there is a 2.0 version that updates the details. In point of fact, the important thing here is not the specific set of details that substantiate the concept of a flattening world, but the overarching concept that technology is a driver. One can get on board and leverage technology or get left behind. I question whether the United States itself is at risk over this issue...surely the US has been in the driver's seat for quite some time and the fact that it is being overtaken in some areas is an indicator that failing to jump aboard for whatever careening ride is imminent is not fatal. It is worth noting, however, that there is a substantially increasing gulf between those who embrace technology and those who shun it. It seems clear that shunning is likely to be bad. In my opinion it is premature to conclude that embracing technology in all its forms is automatically a good thing. I think that there is value in thought and the pace at which technology is increasing is not matched by societal efforts to comprehend the implications. This book is a journalists effort (a documentation of the phenomenon in the moment) and has tremendous value in that capacity. It is not, however, a philosophical understanding of the underlying technology nor is it a sociological analysis of the future of technology, it feels like a race car driver explaining why the newest fuel is the best.
I give this book a mild recommendation because I think it is unlikely to change anyone's opinion. Those who agree from the outset will find validation. Those who disagree (particularly fundamental Muslims) will find the book offensive and that will lead to the book being uncompelling. Moderates on all sides might be swayed one way or the other, I cannot tell, so I offer a mild recommendation.
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