Globalization 4.0

I've been reading alot of Thomas Friedman recently. He has two newish books (The World is Flat and The Lexus and the Olive Branch) out which I think are must reads for educated citizens in the US, especially for educated citizens with a background in technology (which means you, dear readers). His lesson is clear. America is losing its technological edge, and this is going to change our quality of life in the not too distant future.

After Sputnik, this country was motivated like never before to produce good science and good scientists. But we've been sitting on our haunches ever since. The technical dominance we as Americans enjoy now has, to a great extent, been based on the shoulders of these 1950s and 60s scientists with the collaboration of hoards of foreign scientists who came to the US because it was the only place to innovate.

This reality is changing. Tonight I listened to a podcast of Friedman speaking with Ira Flatow on Science Friday that makes this lesson as clear as I've ever heard it. If this isn't enough to make you take some sort of action, then there's something wrong with you.

There are two things I really like about Friedman. First, he really understands the way in which technology has changed our world. Second is he doesn't (outright anyway) promote any one political solution to the threats of globalization. You can be the ultimate free-market fan or a big fan of the welfare state and there are lessons you can take from this broadcast.

I also really like the observation he makes repeatedly in the Lexus and the Olive branch; When globalization is carried out well, the whole world benefits. Say that about the war on terror.