TWIF+Chapter+13

The World is Flat Chapter 13

The World is Flat, Chapter 13 Globalization of the Local As the world began to flatten, there were those who worried that globalization meant Americanization. It has become clear, however, that while globalization has the potential to homogenize cultures; it has even greater potential to nourish diversity. This is possible because so many people now have the tools to “upload” their own content – their own news reports, their own music, opinions, videos, photos, etc. This is a very powerful force for the preservation of cultural identity. Because you can innovate without having to emigrate means that local cultures have a much better chance of being preserved. “Globalization of the local” (Friedman, pg. 507) is an expression used by an Indian born expert on globalization and cultural identity. This is a phenomenon that allows scattered communities of ethnic groupings around the world to use today’s global media networks to “cling to their local mores, news, traditions and friends no matter where they are living”. Friedman points out that you would think that globalization is only about the spread of capitalism and consumerism. It is much broader, deeper and more complex. The flattening of the world is about “the creation of a global platform for multiple forms of sharing work, knowledge and entertainment” (Friedman, pg. 510). Globalization does not have to destroy culture. It can enrich and preserve it. I agree with Friedman’s points in this chapter. A customer service representative in India gives up none of his culture to work for an American company. In fact, I would make the point that even those who must relocate and come to the states to work are not expected to give up their culture as they once were. It is difficult to envision the consequences 10 years from now, but I think the most important negative impact is that workers have no loyalty to their country. If I live in India and work for Bank of New York, I have no vested interest in the success of my company other than an individual and personal one. How does this affect us as educators? As students? School in general? Although we are teaching students to work collaboratively and share knowledge, the 21st century worker will have to build an individual resume and sell themselves globally. The gap will widen even further between those who can do and those who can’t. Companies will no longer carry the mediocre worker because there are thousands more workers around the world who can do the job. More than ever before, intelligence, hard work and creativity will separate those who survive from those who can’t. As educators, we need to figure out who to best educate those who will have trouble competing in the global economy and who will earn a living at home – the plumber, the car mechanic, and the grocery store clerk. Posted by Elise Miller