“Of course the world isn’t flat. But it’s not round anymore, either. I have found that using the simple notion of flatness to describe how more people can plug, play, compete, connect, and collaborate with more equal power than ever before – which is what is happening in the world – really helps people who are trying to understand the essential impact of all the technological changes coming together today.”– from the introduction to The World Is Flat Version 3.0 (2007)
I know this book is a couple of years old, but I am reading it for the first time and finding it fascinating. As the author (Thomas L. Friedman) continuously points out, the flattening forces shaping our world are happening right under our noses, and the majority of us are oblivious to these changes. Friedman shows us the capabilities of a flat world by exploringĂ‚Â a variety of topics, such as Wal-Mart’s incredible supply chain, UPS’s elaborate and far-reaching tracking system, and the ascending importance of both India and China in an increasingly digital world.
So far, this book has opened my mind to a whole new way of thinking, making me acutely aware of just how connected we really are.