TWIF+Chapter+15

The World is Flat Chapter 15 Chapter 15: 11/9 Versus 9/11 Summary The chapter begins by comparing the dates 11/9 with 9/11. The date 11/9 was the date when the Berlin Wall was knocked down. Friedman describes how an individual must have imagined a world for the East German citizens with freedom from the walls that constrained them. This individual acted on his imagination to bring joy and do something positive and as a result the Berlin Wall was destroyed and people were freed. On the other hand, bin Laden on 9/11 used his imagination in an evil way(World Trade Center). Friedman argues that the world must foster more positive creative thinkers that use their imaginations to bring joy and good to the world and not use their creativity in ways such as bin Laden. Friedman quotes Irving Wladawsky-Berger to further this point, “We need to think more seriously than ever about how we encourage people to focus on productive outcomes that advance and unite civilization – peaceful imaginations that seek to “minimize alienation and celebrate interdependence rather than self-sufficiency, inclusion rather than exclusion,” openness, opportunity, and hope rather than limits, suspicion and grievance(Friedman 546).” Friedman continues to state that America was founded based on hope and optimism and America needs to continue to be optimistic and hopeful. Therefore, Friedman states, “We must make sure that we get the best of our imaginations – and never let our imaginations get the best of us(Friedman 550).” He iterates the importance to look forward and not back. To board airplanes again and be optimistic and use our imaginations to do good and not allow our imaginations to live our lives in fear. Friedman then begins to tackle his big question which is how can we foster the imaginations of the people behind 11/9 and prevent imaginations from creating and successfully enacting the events of 9/11. Friedman begins to tackle this question by stating that our imagination is comprised of two forces. The first force he argues is the narratives that people are nurtured on such as stories, myths, and religion that ultimately influence people’s imagination one way or another. The second force is the context in which people grow up which deals with how people view the world and other people. Friedman drives the point that people must be able to feel self-empowered to improve their lot. They must feel validated and feel that they are playing on a level ball field. If people live in an area that authority comes from the bottom up good will come from it. Friedman also summarizes his points by stating, “People who are connected to the world and exposed to different cultures and perspectives are far more likely to develop the imagination of 11/9. People who are feeling disconnected, for whom personal freedom and fulfillment are a utopian fantasy, are more likely to develop the imagination of 9/11.”(Friedman 569) Near the end of the chapter he talks about a man named Abraham George who was a well educated Indian man who made a lot of money in America and decided to open a journalism school back in India for the poor. He also opened an elementary school as well in the poorest area of India. George’s goal was to prove that giving these poor children access to the same technologies and solid education that have enabled other pockets of India to be successful in the flat world will empower these children to be equally as successful in the flat world. Friedman later states the importance for teachers to see the greatness in each student and enable each child to see the greatness in them by providing them with the tools and opportunities to do it is the key to education. Analysis I do agree with Friedman’s points in this chapter. I believe that 9/11 was a horrible event in our history but we shouldn’t allow this day to change who we are. We should not live in fear of terrorism. We must live our lives optimistically and continue to enjoy the freedom to imagine and create a better world. Our country was developed on hope and freedom and it was hope and freedom that made us so prosperous. It is important to try to foster the creative imaginations of 11/9. We must not put walls up because we are fearful of another 9/11. We must continue to improve global communication and learn to communicate with different cultures and be open to different perspectives. We will always need to be aware that another 9/11 might happen but we must remain optimistic and continue to dream. We can’t settle for memories but act on our dreams. One positive outcome I would like to see come forward is a world that communicates better with each other. In the global world, we should be more united with people from different backgrounds and cultures. We should not be isolating ourselves from any culture or group of people. People must become more tolerant of different cultures and perspectives as well. We must continue to promote democratic governments such as ourselves where people are given freedoms to determine their own future. If we can do this especially with the Muslim world, we will have a safer and better future. I believe that we must believe in our students. Friedman talks about the schools Abraham George created. I think that all deserve the best education possible. We must supply our future with the tools that will empower them to not only be successful but to make a positive impact on the world. A teacher’s made job is to make students believe in themselves. If a teacher could do this, a student will reach for the stars and will most likely reach one. Friedman, T. (2007) // The World Is Flat //. New York: Picador/Farrar, Strauss, and Giroux.