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Globalization Paper Cassone & Spillman

Flat Warm World

Two Perspectives on Globalization The World is Flat An Inconvenient Truth

Marco Cassone Leora Spillman

April 13, 2013 MSOD 615 Foundations of Culture & Globalization Dr. M. Lacey

615 Globalization Paper Cassone & Spillman

This document explores two works as they portray different but related perspectives on globalization. Discussion will compare and contrast the novel, The World is Flat by Thomas L. Friedman (2007), with the 2006 documentary, An Inconvenient Truth by former Vice President of the United States, Al Gore. Similarities Approach, Content, & Conclusion In the context of his journey studying global economics and change, Friedman sets out to share with American readers how the world became metaphorically flat (and its implications) a paradigm-shifting perspective that distinguished Friedman as a respected voice on the global economy. Fueled by a similar vision of educating every American family about the importance of Global Warming, Gore sets out to expose some of the negative aspects of globalization pointing attention to the unintended toll it has been taking on the environment. Each work constructs a mental model by identifying industrial, economic, technological, and environmental forces (flatteners for Friedman) and subsequently showing a convergence of conditions and forces now culminating in an urgent current state. Gore highlights a Churchill quote: The era of procrastination, of half-measures, of soothing and baffling expedients, of delays, is coming to its close. In its place we are entering a Period of Consequences (1936). Both works forwarn of inconvenient truths about quiet crises occurring while we were asleep (Friedman) and which may have serious ramifications if unheeded. Both Friedman and Gore help their audiences to see and think from a global perspective, to personalize consequence (and opportunity in Friedmans case), and to hear the warnings and respond to them (Gore). Reflecting on content, both narrators construct cases that are map mashups fusions of scientific research, expert opinion, stories, and well-informed personal perspective. Here the psychology term mapping refers to mental representations of real experience, while mashups (originally a music industry term) crash together seemingly disparate ideas to offer something new yet familiar. Both Gore and Friedman use this now recognized, mixed-source framework to give reader-viewers the capacity to see the world through global eyes, especially our changing relationship to global systems and to the Earth.

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While their subject matters differ, much of their methodology and message are the same: old habits + old technology = predicted consequences, however old habits + new technology = dramatically altered consequences (Gore). Citing examples of outbreaks of citizen activism, Friedman also suggests an equation: truth + passion + the Internet = irresistible tide for change. His wake-up call alerting Americans that The playing field has been leveled (7) comes with anecdotal warning: Girls, finish your homework people in China and India are starving for your jobs (277). Gores call-to-action reminds us we can no longer remain provincial in our thinking or turn a blind eye: What gets us into trouble is not what we know, its what we know for sure that just isnt so. Significant Differences Its important to remember that both works were products crafted for consumption. Each faced different threats and benefits associated with medium, which in turn also affected content. Compared to a single-sit documentary, a 600+ page novel is daunting to the average American (thus less of a threat to opponents). Whereas Gore gives himself two hours to get in, state his case, and get out, Friedman takes time to construct his argument from multiple perspectives. In chapter 5, for example, he concludes that Ricardos free-trade theory of comparative advantage still holds in a flat world by outlining the case against outsourcing and offshoring, and then demonstrating why it is problematic. Similarly, chapter 12 directly confronts criticism against Friedman (where he clarifies he is a technological determinist, not an historical determinist). Publishing three editions also let Friedman embrace criticism and offer strong rebuttal to a much greater degree than was possible for or chosen by Gore.

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The context of An Inconvenient Truth, on the other hand, was a political hotbed for Gore, as release of the documentary effectively shot his message around the world, only to garner immediate criticism for largely promoting only one side of the story (unlike Friedman). For example, Gore questions the motives of global warming skeptics but not the special-interest motivations of those whose careers depend on advocating a political platform. Global Warming is a moral issue; it is your time to seize this issue and our time to rise again to secure our future. Reflecting critically, it was sometimes hard to know if the documentary implied causation through correlation. This is not to imply Gore is inaccurate or his message unimportant; he simply does not provide as balanced of a perspective as Friedman. Augmentation, Synergy, & Misalignment An interesting way that The World Is Flat and An Inconvenient Truth augment each other is perhaps revealed in political synergy behind the scenes. In his audio book, Friedman shares that by changing the US energy diet, President Bush could "dry up revenue for terrorism, force Iran, Russia, Venezuela, and Saudi Arabia onto the path of reform....strengthen the dollar, and improve his own standing in Europe by doing something huge to reduce global warming. Gores film takes advantage of this election-worthy message on US energy diet, functioning as part ad campaign and placing the former politician front and center leading the war on global warming. Where the two works are misaligned is perhaps their outlook. Friedmans rather optimistic worldview is that the US is uniquely suited to enter the age of the flat world because it has a mix of institutions, laws, and cultural norms that produce a level of trust, innovation, and collaboration that has enabled us to constantly renew our economy and raise our standard of living. While Friedman praises the globalizing forces that have flattened the world, Gores dramatic emotional appeal and environmental nostalgia fundamentally despair at their consequences: "We have a moral obligation to take into account....the relationship between our species and the planet."

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Resonating Takeaways An OD lens might note Friedmans observation that the companies that have managed to grow today are those that are most prepared to change, as well as his insightful discussion of open (change positive) cultures vs closed (change averse) cultures. It was encouraging to notice much personal and professional relevance to various aspects of the emerging, flattened world. It will be crucial for OD to aim its collective imagination at shaping organizations and influencing globalization, technological progress, environmental sustainability, and other trends. As such, a standout was Einsteins, Imagination is more important than knowledge, with which Friedman begins his chapter on the importance of the right kind of imagination in the flat world (543). Both thought leaders ultimately bring a can-do message of urgency and hope, raising awareness of consumer choice and reminding us how small things can have big consequences. Pertaining to globalization, the respective visions of Al Gore and Thomas Friedman unequivocally empower their audiences to think globally, act locally, and to see the world through global eyes. And of course, lest it be forgot, to share our individual voice and always make our vote count. Leoras Final Reflection As I was reading the material and the paper it makes me think what type of flattened and globalized world will my new [one-week old] grandson inherit by time he is a young adult twentyone years from now. Gores views seem pessimistic towards environmental conditions; Friedman is enthusiastic toward the flattening transformation taking place rapidly. The changes that will impact our middle class as we know it today will not even exist when my baby grandson completes college and enters the workforce.

Political will is a renewable resource. The solutions are in our hands, we need the will. Al Gore

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References

Friedman, T.L. (2007). The World is Flat: A Brief History of the Twenty-first Century (3rd Edition). Picador Publishers.

Friedman, T.L. (2007). The World is Flat: A Brief History of the Twenty-first Century (audiobook). Macmillan Audio Publishers.

Bender, L. (Producer), & Guggenheim, D. (Director). (2006). An Inconvenient Truth: The Crisis of Global Warming [Motion picture]. United States of America: Lawrence Bender Productions.