The book, The World is Flat, by Thomas Friedman draws attention to some excellent points regarding globalization and the world economy today. Friedman emphasizes the status of America today in relation to other countries in the world. As I looked at the things he warned or highlighted, I realized the importance of this issue. He talks about some aspects in which competitiveness must be maintained for America to maintain its current position in the world market. First of all, Friedman talks about different levels of globalization. There are 3 different time periods where society has changed and changed, bringing us to where we are today. Globalization 1.0, which occurred from 1492 to 1800, was the first step in making the world flatter. The arrival in America, and the resulting industrial push, is what most characterized globalization 1.0. The pulse of the industry was about things like manpower and power, and how well we could use them in the world market. This caused the world to “shrink” a bit and become flatter. With the discovery of a new world, the area in which business took place expanded, but the commonality of dominion and trade meant that the distance was bridged more frequently. I think Friedman's notions about globalization 1.0 are very accurate. The world, in our terms, began in 1492 with the discovery of North America. Once the area began to be inhabited and colonized, there was much more global interaction. Communications and trade between the American colonies and England increased, and this began a more stable business of world association. I believe Friedman's theory is true, because the discovery of a land beyond the ocean for the middle of the map prevents this. This can be done by giving more importance to aspects such as arts or things that cannot be reproduced by computers or technology. Friedman emphasizes the importance of fine-tuning the activities and applications of the right hemisphere. Additionally, having a passion for what you do and having good interpersonal skills can significantly increase your desirability. Friedman's theories actually led me to think a little differently about how the global job market is evolving. He seemed to make very valid points about being culturally and internationally aware and highlighting the importance of keeping up with today's level of expectation. By being introduced to these important issues, I feel like I can be more aware and competitive since I live in a flatter world. Work Cited Friedman, Thomas L. (1996). The world is flat. New York: Farrar, Straus and Giroux.