Module 1: The World Is Flat

1.) What is the difference between Globalization 1.0, 2.0 and 3.0? Well first off, I had to put together what Globalization exactly was, to then understand the three different levels Friedman categorized it. Globalization is how we as a people work together among different organizations, careers and even cultures. It is a process in growing more technologically advanced by our collaboration of knowledge and skill, along with international trade. The levels of globalization all circle back to Friedman's huge theme and discovery of how the world is flattening. Globalization 1.0 started out the most broad, beginning in the time frame 1492-1800. 1492 was the initial event of Columbus expanding Europe with his discovery of America. This was the first contribution of history bringing the world as a people from, in Friedman's view, a size large to a size medium. I was a bit confused at first why expanding land and bringing knowledge elsewhere would began the process of flattening the world, shrinking; but then mentally figured that the more we expand, push our knowledge on others and integrate what we know elsewhere, it helps bring together both areas of land and eventually connects two separate cultures by growing means. The summarizing phrase for Globalization 1.0 is countries globalizing. That’s where Globalization 2.0 comes in. Globalization 2.0 is the greater expanse in developing technology and the industrious age, still just really focusing on Europe and America, but flattening from “medium to small.” This carried through until the 2000’s with the theme, companies globalizing. Lastly, Globalization 3.0 is basically the new age of technology, guessing that it will continually grow from 2000 to the future. Globalization 3.0 is put on a national scale compared to the original connection between Europe and the U.S. Shrinking the scale of the world in Friedman’s eyes to a size XS. The theme for this new phase of interaction with each other is focused on how individuals collaborate and compete globally. We are taking a bigger role personally because of the wider expanse in technological communication and our relations globally with other nations. It took a minute for me to grasp the literal concept of “flattening the world”, but took it in a sense that, the barriers are being put down, and the continents are growing closer together, almost in a Pangea sense of looking at things with a "flattening" perspective. Through Friedman's experience and interviews, results show we are now outsourcing around the continents and even globally so “work gets done where it can be done most effectively and efficiently.” He found all sorts of proof where the world is flattening; in particular, Indians were “flattening their accents” to fit in to the rising work society.
2.) What does the fall of the Berlin Wall mean to Friedman? The fall of the Berlin Wall, 11/9/1989, “tipped the balance of power.” What used to be communistic society changed into a free market and influenced others. Particularly in India, who originally followed a similar society until they figured out the hard way it wasn't working out to well with the economy. Their Berlin Wall fell figuratively speaking for India, and the economy took a boost with new government. And so did things nationally after Germany's wall fell. Originally, the wall limited the global market and knowledge pool. Afterwards, common standards were established and constant protocols could be put in practice to make things a little more universal.

3.) Why is the story of Netscape important? “...though Netscape may have been only a shooting star in commercial terms, what a star it was, and what a trail it left.”  This in particular was my favorite quote to sum up the importance of Netscape, because although it didn't succeed in certain eyes with the modern competition of technology, it succeeded in broadening the use for the internet and taking the first stab at the initial confusion of it all. Netscape gave the Internet meaning by making it inter-operable and able for a standard of communication.  Netscape unlocked the ability and want for people to be connected with each other through data, e-mails and research by providing a universal browser, which made sense of much internet garble and data. Overall, it made the brand new Internet accessible and useful, to all user age ranges and all the different systems.

Personally, I feel a little sheltered in some of the major technological fronts and national relationships. This is all news to me and interesting at that. It puts a brand new perspective to take in and gives me a curiosity about current globalization and the growth in today’s technology; especially the not so long ago history of it too. I also feel a little guilty for not being in the loop with my rising generation, and now feel urged to catch up on things other than myself. I look forward to taking a grasp on the subject and hope to become more insightful on this expanse as well. The more and more I learn, I find how interconnected everything seems to be; from India, to Berlin, from Columbus and then to the birth of the internet.