As I read Friedman’s The World Is Flat, I was impressed with the originality of his idea that as a result of the many technological and related advancements in the last couple of decades, the world is much more accessible to each of us. It is flat. Although I had never thought of this idea before, it struck me as remarkably true and as I continued reading on, I thought about how this flattening of the world has affected (and is affecting) me in my own personal life, here as a student at Brigham Young University in little Happy Valley. I have come to the conclusion that it is hard to figure out how it is affecting me because so much of my life has actually revolved around these things – I don’t really know life without most of them. And yet, there are a few specifics that I can point out that are a result of this flattening. Namely, I have found that the outlook of careers in technology has improved, my schooling and learning have been greatly magnified, and a standard in education and skill has been raised.
As a student studying computer science, I find the focus on technology a really positive consequence of a flattened world. Technology has an increasingly important role to play in society, and as a result, the job outlook for my field is good. Because software and technology are infiltrating every field, I can work in any area that I find interesting. I will have many opportunities to work in fields that can really make a difference in peoples’ lives--something that I personally am looking forward to. These opportunities also bring job security and flexibility. This is possible because of the demand for knowledgeable and skilled engineers as the technology world takes off.
I have also found that the flattening of the world has greatly enhanced my schooling. I am lucky; I grew up in a generation that didn’t start with computers but still had full access at an early enough age to learn the benefits they could bring to life. Through the internet and the worldwide web I have had ready access to many resources from a collaboration of scholars. Research has been made easier and more substantial. Even simple things such as wikipedia or dictionary.com have made studying and learning more accessible. The flattening of the world has allowed my formal education to expand and will also allow for life-long learning as long as there is access to the internet.
As the ability to learn has increased, so too, has the standard of education. Because more people (especially those outside of America) now have access to solid, competitive education, I must work harder as a student. Competition for jobs now comes from all over the world, from people with all types of backgrounds, various experience, and different levels of excellence. No longer is it a given that students graduating from college automatically get a job. We must study, learn, work hard and gain experience so that we can compete for those job positions that are needed. This can, as Friedman mentioned, be a deterrent to many, but in reality it gives us a good reason to push the boundaries of our mind. It gives us a reason to excel and succeed.
Finally, another positive result of the flat world on my own life is better products and better prices. Because people from all over the world are able to work on the products and things that I use, they are better able to create satisfactory results for less. I am a believer that diversity in the workforce can lead to better products (although it doesn’t necessarily ensure that) and I think that this flattening has allowed us not only to have less-expensive services and products, but has made them more accessible and more applicable. Because the technology world is no longer run solely by middle-aged white men sitting in a stuffy office dressed in suits and ties, products come out more directed toward the average population. The general population is then more satisfied and this makes for a happier world. For example, I’ve noticed easier-to-understand user interfaces, web companies targeting certain groups, and lower prices for many services. This comes because of the flattening of the world, and thus, diversity in the workplace.
In conclusion, I agree with Friedman. The world is flat. And in the process of understanding that, I’ve also come to the conclusion that my world is flat. That flattening has led to good experiences that have allowed me to push myself and learn more than I otherwise would have. I admit that there are some negative side-effects of this flattening, as there are with many good things in life, but for me, on the whole, despite those negatives, the positives of a bright job outlook, increased education, and increased diversity make it a pleasant experience.
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