Sunday, November 25, 2012
TWIF Chapter 1 Reflection
After you have read and taken notes on Chapter 1, "While I Was Sleeping," use one of the current events sources linked at http://mrsfridaysclass.wikispaces.com/Current+Events to find a recent news article that relates to, supports, or refutes Friedman's assertions. Your comment should include the title of the news article, a link to the article, and a summary of the article including an explanation of how the article relates to an issue addressed in chapter 1 of TWIF. Don't forget to check your rubric for evaluation criteria!
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Mixed Results as MPs Try Outsourcing Questions on Twitter
ReplyDeletehttp://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-20795403
The article talks about how a Member of Parliament, Minister Francis Maude, encouraged citizens to ask him questions about new bills and laws on twitter using #AskMaude. This allowed citizens to ask questions or give their opinouns just by using twitter. This has to do with The World is Flat because Friedman talks of how communication around the world by individuals is increasing. This supports Friedman's assertions because it is a form of outsourcing and it allowed the Minister to hear opinouns from people around the world.
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ReplyDeleteChina Asks Publishing Groups to Compete Globally, Xinhua Says
ReplyDeletehttp://washpost.bloomberg.com/Story?docId=1376-MG6HDD6JIJUP01-7U3DSN62LGL2HGG7AS6DN7QBVI
The article discusses the need for China's publishing companies to take part in global competition. They want the groups to improve their production and advertise their products overseas. In order to compete globally, they also want to start up different branches in other countries. Furthermore, the article talks about the number of Chinese journalists increasing. 616 more U.S. visas were given to the journalists in 2011 than in 2010. This relates back to "The World is Flat" because the author discusses the increased competitiveness of businesses around the world, just like how China is ready to compete with other global publishing companies. In addition, increased foreign employees is also discussed in "The World is Flat", which is also shown through the rise of Chinese reporters in need of U.S. visas.
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ReplyDeleteArab Maghreb Union launches investment bank
ReplyDeletehttp://www.aljazeera.com/news/middleeast/2013/01/2013110101120697531.html
With $100 million of capital to finance, the Arab Maghreb Union has launch a bank to finance multiple infrastructure projects in Libya, Algeria, Mauritania, Morocco, and Tunisia. The Union plans to finance highways, promote new technologies, and invest in new energy. This relates to "The World is Flat" because the author describes how the country will outsource jobs there and that many people will prosper with more jobs. The author also mentions that it was proposed in 1991, but could not be carried out due to conflicts between Morocco and Algeria. This also relates to "The World is Flat" as the thought of the "playing field is being leveled" is shown with the proposal finally being acted upon and letting the Union "catch up" to other countries who have made similar decisions.
Facebook introduces social search feature
ReplyDeletehttp://www.washingtonpost.com/business/technology/facebook-introduces-social-search-feature/2013/01/15/599c6f7e-5f3d-11e2-9940-6fc488f3fecd_story.html
Tuesday, January 22nd, Facebook is releasing a new feature. This feature is called Graph Search. The concept of Graph Search is to be able to tell informations about friends on Facebook. The new technology will also be able to search information found on common search engines like Google. The new technology will be able to answer what friends live in your city, or even what Indian restaurants my friends in India like. This relates to "The World is Flat" Friedman discusses how the world of technology is advancing making it easier to communicate with people in other countries. With the new technology of Graph Search, people will not only be able to communicate but also know their likes and dislikes without asking.
Online learning veteran lynda.com raises $103M (is an IPO ahead?)
ReplyDeletehttp://www.washingtonpost.com/business/technology/after-17-years-online-learning-veteran-lyndacom-raises-103m-is-an-ipo-ahead/2013/01/16/ffe29c7e-5fc3-11e2-9dc9-bca76dd777b8_story.html
On January 15th, lynda.com, an online learning company announced that it has raised $103 million in its first outside financing round. This companyh started by just selling video based courses on how to work computer programs but has now expanded to business other "how to's". This supports Friedman's argument that the world's technology is making the world smaller. Through this technology people are able to learn a skill that they may have never had the opportunity to. Those living in a small town in America may have never had the opportunity to learn Mandarin. But now, anyone has the ability to improve upon themselves and their skill sets, regardless of their location.
Cyber crime and the threat of virtual terrorism
ReplyDeletehttp://www.euronews.com/2012/05/02/cyber-crime-and-the-threat-of-virtual-terrorism/
In the first chapter of the book, The World Is Flat, Friedman brings to light the advances men all over the world have discovered. He is not literally saying that our world is flat, but figuratively. The world has turned flat due too the ten flatteners discussed later in the book. Largely, it consists of how individuals can quickly and easily communicate, send, and search. In the recent news article it shows how the world is 'flat'. Terrorists have now figured out away to harm others through the internet instead of physical violence.
Analysts say Japan, China cannot Afford Trade Row
ReplyDeletehttp://www.euronews.com/2012/09/18/analysts-say-japan-china-cannot-afford-trade-row
A small group of islands in the East China Sea are causing havoc on the trade and commerce of Japan and China as they engage in a feud over ownership of the islands. As military craft from both countries make appearances in the vicinity of the islands, businesses on the mainlands of Japan and China are feeling the impact. Japan was forced to temporarily close several manufacturing plants it operates in China due to hostile conditions there, negatively effecting both Japan based businesses and Chinese workers. In addition, both countries will suffer the consequences if the bilateral trade between them, amounting to 260 billion euros, is threatened.
The hope is that this conflict can come to a quick, peaceful resolution and Japan can again expand its market into China, where it capitalizes on lower labor costs, and provides employment for Chinese workers. As referenced in The World is Flat, these two countries resolved their differences last century after Japan attempted to colonize China. Although not necessarily forgiving, China agreed to accept Japanese businesses and outsourcing to grow their own economy. One Chinese city, Dalian, supports many Japanese outsourced companies. By outsourcing to China, the Japanese businesses are able to reduce labor costs, utilizing lower-wage earning Chinese workers, and Chinese workers are employed and learning skills, therefor both benefit.
If history repeats itself, this conflict will be resolved, and the two nations will again benefit from the advantages of a flattened world.
When the H.R. Office Leaves the Building
ReplyDeletehttp://www.nytimes.com/2012/12/02/jobs/more-companies-are-outsourcing-their-human-resources-work.html?_r=0
This article discusses the increasing usage of outsourcing for business' human resources department. Many human resources jobs are going to outsourcing companies around the world instead of workers in the United States because it saves money. This relates to The World is Flat because it talks about how many jobs are being outsourced to cut costs. This supports Friedman's argument that the world is being flattened because it gives the countries that the outsourcing companies reside in an advantage in knowledge and employment rate.
Google's Schmidt Urges Internet Openness In NKorea http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=168915897
ReplyDeleteIn the World is Flat, Friedman writes about how the world has become flat because technology has allowed the world to become interconnected through the Internet and World Wide Web. In this article, the Executive Chairman of Google, Eric Schmidt is in North Korea where he is urging the government to allow it's citizens to use the Internet to get connected to the world. Just like Friedman who says that individuals and companies that don't keep up with information revolution will be left behind, Schmidt warns North Korea that they are being left behind. He says that other countries have passed North Korea and that by not being connnected to the rest of the world, they are not being competitive for jobs and economic growth.
Walmart Plans to Buy American More Often
ReplyDeletehttp://www.nytimes.com/2013/01/16/business/walmart-to-offer-more-us-made-goods.html?hpw&_r=0
In this article, Walmart discusses how they want to use more American made products and American labor instead of products made in India or China. The reason Walmart wants to do this is because it is getting more expensive to make and ship products over seas. Also the energy prices over seas is rising and becoming more expensive than it is in the United States. In "The World is Flat", Friedman talks about how outsourcing in foriegn countries is cheaper and more benefitial for the United States. The article refutes what Friedman is saying because it shows how the United States is becoming more competative with other countries such as China and India. The reason that the US is becoming more competative is the labor and energy prices are becoming more expensive over seas.
Companies 'Outsource' Because That's Where The Sales Are
ReplyDeletehttp://www.forbes.com/sites/merrillmatthews/2012/07/20/companies-outsource-because-thats-where-the-sales-are/
In this article Merrill Matthews, the author, explains that in the election between Barack Obama and Mitt Romney there was political rage due to the topic of outsourcing. Matthews goes on the explain that U.S. companies open stores and build factories overseas because that is where the money is. For example, Ditto for Caterpillar grew its workforce by 39% whereas the U.S. only increased its workforce by 7.8%. Matthews then clarifies that outsourcing is when a company contracts with an outside company to provide some type of service. During the campaigning for the election Obama supported insourcing while Mitt Romney supposedly supported outsourcing. This article relates to Friedman's first chapter, "While I Was Sleeping" because for a large portion of the chapter he talks about different companies and how they outsource to places like Bangalor, India. The article shows that outsourcing is a topic of discussion amongst politics, and that it is growing because business can find sales there.
Is outsourcing to blame for Boeing’s 787 Dreamliner woes?
ReplyDeletehttp://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/wonkblog/wp/2013/01/18/is-outsourcing-to-blame-for-boeings-787-woes/
Boeing's plan to put its new 787 Dreamliner aircraft into operation has been derailed. A particular component of the state-of-the-art airplane, its lithium-ion batteries, overheats and results in fires. Furthermore, Boeing has come under scrutiny for outsourcing over 30 percent of its production of the 787 to companies in Japan that do not possess the aeronautical skills necessary to understand how the components of an aircraft operate in unison. In the previous version of the 787 only five percent of the aircraft was outsourced. Additionally, Boeing's large multinational supply chain has made it difficult to quickly identify problems. Moreover, the article elaborates on the problems outsourcing can cause for any company. The more complex and dispersed a supply chain is the more susceptible it is to disruption by natural disasters and lags in response time to consumer complaints. The article “Is outsourcing to blame for Boeing’s 787 Dreamliner woes?” refutes Friedman's ideas that outsourcing benefits companies by offering lower wages and taxes. Likewise, Friedman does not inform the reader about the problems outsourcing can cause. His argument is starkly unidirectional. Friedman fails to explain that outsourcing can delay a company’s response time and make it prone to production errors as it relies on other companies to produce components across the world. Companies, such as Boeing, are beginning to realize the potential unintended consequences outsourcing and off-shoring can create—a disruption in a company's supply chain and production.
Live Coverage on Obama's Second Inaugural
ReplyDeletehttp://projects.nytimes.com/live-dashboard/obama-inauguration
In chapter one in The World is Flat, Friedman expands on the historical events that have flattened the world. He explains the events in order in accordance to history. For example, Friedman discusses how Columbus's voyage to the Americas was a factor that flattened the world because it resulted in people in Europe finding out that there was a large land mass on
the other side of the world. His next example of flattening the world describes the development of multi-international companies. Finally, his last example of globalization details how individual people are able to compete with each other globally. In the book, Friedman presents people's
opinions from all over the world. This article discusses President Obama's second term in office. The author of the article writes about how the Capital was filled with people early in the morning to see the event. Also, there is information discussing and comparing how many people witnessed the inauguration the previous year and how many people may be there this year. An interesting thing about this particular article is how the author includes tweets from different people who are talking about the event. This relates to the first chapter because people today can reference postings from someone else's social networking site and use them to give the world
insight and opinions from numerous people on this important event. The fact that people are able to have their opinions heard by anyone and everyone around the world through social networking flattens this world even more.
Aaron Swartz and the rise of the hacktivist hero
ReplyDeletehttp://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/innovations/post/aaron-swartz-and-the-rise-of-the-hacktivist-hero/2013/01/14/6ceb5aa8-5e76-11e2-8acb-ab5cb77e95c8_blog.html
The article is about a computer coder and hacker named Aaron Swartz. Swartz, who recently died, was a huge contributor to the creation of Reddit, Wikipedia and Demand Progress. The article stated that coders and hackers such as Swartz are quickly escilating in power and will soon be as powerful as politicians.This articlev coincides with globalization 3.0 because it shows that a single man has the power to compete with large companies and even political organizations all at the touch of a keyboard.
US Software Developer Caught Outsourcing His Job to China
ReplyDeletehttp://abcnews.go.com/Business/us-software-developer-busted-employer-outsourcing-job-china/story?id=18230346
A US software developer individually outsourced his job to China, so he could do what he pleased at work. The company he worked for found out and he was punished. These days it is very common for companies to outsource jobs. However, individual outsourcing is not commonly talked about. This situation is similar to that of when Friedman talks about a company called Brickwork. Brickwork allows executives to hire personal assistants in India who will help them with work. This software developer is not an executive and was just being lazy. However, this is an example of a flattened world.
Web 're-defining' human identity says chief scientist
ReplyDeletehttp://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-21084945
The article talks about how different people that don't even know each other now have the ability to easily connect with each other and stay anonymous which is both positive and negative. Social networking sites make it easier for people to band together to form positive things like protests and negative things like riots. In The World is Flat the author talks about how the world is coming closer together with the help of technology and coming into a new era.
Hi, I'm in Bangalore (but I Can't Say So)
ReplyDeletehttp://www.nytimes.com/2001/03/21/business/hi-i-m-in-bangalore-but-i-can-t-say-so.html?pagewanted=all&src=pm
This article talks about how people that are not from the United States lie about being U.S. citizensThey do this because they work at call centers for U.S. companies. These people are actually from countries like India. In The World is flat, Friedman talks about how people from India are taught to speak with American, British or Canadian accents in order to sound like they are from those areas. This allows them to work work at call centers of companies from these places.
A New Group Aims to Make Programming Cool http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/01/22/a-new-group-aims-to-make-programming-cool/
ReplyDeleteAn entrepreneur created a website called "code.org" to make teaching computer science more enjoyable for the students. The program will include a short film showing the exciting things to learn about computer science. The film includes the Facebook creators and others so that the students can relate. This article relates to Chapter 1 because this program shows the technology advancement that is occurring in the world today. In chapter one it tells about the massive investment made in technology advancing technology back then.
Fla. Tomato Growers Say Mexico Trade Deal Is Rotten
ReplyDeletehttp://www.npr.org/2013/01/23/170038401/fla-tomato-growers-push-to-end-price-agreement?ft=1&f=1004
This news article is about how Florida's tomato sales have been cut in half, while Mexico's have tripled, and how each side feels about it as well as what could come of it. Florida feels that Mexico is actually selling tomatoes for less than what it costs to grow them while Mexico says that that is not logical and most companies would go out of business. If Florida gets the USA to impose high tarrifs on tomatoes, Mexico may retaliate by putting high tarrifs from the US on EVERYTHING. This relates to chapter one because it shows that a weaker country, Mexico, is outperforming a stronger country, America.