How is the world becoming flat?

In his book The World is Flat, Thomas Friedman a columnist, writes "Clearly, it is now possible for more people than ever to collaborate and compete in real time with more other people on more different kinds of work from more different corners of the planet and on a more equal footing than at any previous time in the history of the world- using computers, e-mail, networks tele-conferencing, and dynamic new software." He says this to argue his statement that the world is flat. Friedman contrast himself to Columbus' journey. He travels to India and speaks to many citizens to come to a realization that the world is flat contrary to Columbus saying the world is round. However, Friedman does not really mean the world is actually flat.

Friedman is saying the playing field is leveling, and people are competing for jobs all across the world. Governments are working together in a globalization economy or a world market. Technology has interconnected the world so that countries at two different parts of the world can connect instantaneously. Other countries are growing and the US needs to keep up. Friedman is excited and dreadful at the same time about this flattening of the world. He is looking forward to the globalization.

When talking about globalization the question is: does globalization mean Americanization. Friedman found when he went to India that there is a huge change in the younger generation. The outsourcing of jobs is allowing young women and men to get jobs at call centers and get paid a decent amount of money. This is allowing young adults to go out and buy things and live more like Americans. The women of the generation are beginning to become more independent, rather then having to stay home and take care of their families and being married off to create their own families. There is more free-thinking generation in India and the older generation is being left behind in the technology world. Traditions are going to the back burner while the young generation tries to Americanize their lives and live in luxury. There is a difference in priorities in India today between the older generation and the younger generation. Is India the next America? Is the world becoming flatter as we speak?