Today is 1 E.C.E. and the weather is hot, flat, and crowded

Following up on class discussion of the 2005 book The World Is Flat, I'd like to write about what I'm reading in Thomas Friedman's most contemporary work: Hot, Flat, and Crowded. I am baffled and amazed at Friedman's analysis of modern-day problems and how complex they all are. The most pertinent information that I've gained so far in my reading is a rough idea of what it is going to take for America to proceed not just as a superpower, but as a member of the upper global class.

In summation, Friedman argues that the only way for America to proceed forward is to be the greenest, most sustainable country on the planet - a total reversal of our society just a mere decade ago. In becoming the most sustainable country, America will have to radically shift its values and change the way it conducts business. Business is the most important of all societal infrastructures as excellently stated by Jack Welsh in his idea that even government has to live off of business.

Another vital point to make is that this book begins with an analysis of why America landed itself in The Great Recession. Friedman's conclusion is that it has to do with the values system of bankers, e.g. egregious sub-prime mortgage lending. After America's Wall Street established itself as the global center for prosperity, other countries wanted in on the game, and with devastating consequences that followed.

Some criticisms of the book that I've noticed so far is that Friedman writes from a very liberal perspective, and sometimes even cites radically leftist organizations, e.g. Sierra Club. Sometimes he also cites The World Is Flat. Citing yourself for your text does not seem very valid. It is, however, worthy to note that Friedman's writing is not without credentials. Three Pulitzer prize wins can attest to that.

Hot, Flat, and Crowded, in my humble opinion, shows large indicators of what will drive the success of future business globally. I've learned much about what business likely needs to do and how it needs to conduct itself in the future, and the amount of change is staggering. I'm only a fifth of the way through the book and already feel as though I've learned a great deal about our future.