Flattening the World

The world is being flattened as we speak. Thomas Friedman pointed out ten of the world's greatest "flatteners," but we also need to recognize the smaller "flatteners." Since Thomas Friedman wrote The World is Flat, several new technologies have emerged that have further globalized the world. The cheaper and more portable version of the laptop, the netbook, has allowed many people to go online in places where laptops just aren't feasible. The rise of the 3G network has permitted people in even the most rural of areas to be able to communicate with friends, families, and coworkers. Additionally, social networking has been playing a huge role in globalizing the world. Eventually, the countries of the world will mesh almost as if as one huge nation.