How to Make it in the Modern World

Those of you who have paid attention in class (there are a few of you) know that I often cite the work of New York Times columnist, Thomas Friedman who has written a number of marvelous books about globalization and how it governs the world economy. Just the other day he was writing about the presidential campaign and made the following statement:

All of this made me think Obama should stop using the phrase — first minted by Bill Clinton in 1992 — that if you just “work hard and play by the rules” you should expect that the American system will deliver you a decent life and a chance for your children to have a better one. That mantra really resonates with me and, I am sure, with many voters. There is just one problem: It’s out of date. 

 

Friedman argues that although it sounds good, it’s wrong. Why? Because when Clinton was talking – in the early 90’s – there was only a fledgling Internet, almost no email; let alone smartphones, tablets, Skype and all the other technological breakthroughs that we take for granted. According to Friedman:

That world is gone. It is now a more open system. Technology and globalization are wiping out lower-skilled jobs faster, while steadily raising the skill level required for new jobs. More than ever now, lifelong learning is the key to getting into, and staying in, the middle class.

To my mind, it’s not just about staying in the middle class. Lifelong learning is essential to anyone who wants to be a successful entrepreneur. The next time you get a chance to speak with someone who has “made it” ask them how much reading they do. I'll bet you find they are up on any number of web sites, newspapers (online to be sure) and other sources.

Friedman, by the way, also cited the following, which I think pretty much sums it up. 

There is a quote attributed to the futurist Alvin Toffler that captures this new reality: In the future “illiteracy will not be defined by those who cannot read and write, but by those who cannot learn and relearn.” Any form of standing still is deadly.

 

So, it’s not just about reading, but thinking about and learning what you have read as well.

Source for the above quotes: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/09/09/opinion/sunday/friedman-new-rules.html?_r=1&ref=opinion