Module 13

I have become very appreciative to the many different interpretations of the various views of our economic global society by intellectuals.  Although, I might not always agree with Mr. Thomas Friedman I still though, value his hard work and dedication of explaining our world transformation into the different phrases of globalization though I believe that “The World is Flat” has some anachronisms.

Nevertheless, Mr. Friedman has nicely categorized the stresses of technological forces in the last century within his book.  I believe I can take much of what I’ve learned from this class into my business going forward and understanding the eb and flow of technology.  There are technological forces that can only be seen if one understands what one is looking for.  There are thousands of market data points daily that are thrown at us to interpret of what they mean to us personally of course in business as well.  However, it’s extremely difficult to decipher if you don’t know what you’re looking for that affects you and your family. I suppose in today’s world it’s the easy way to understand and we have been accustom to is waiting for the local news tell us in a few seconds of what it all means which I feel it very unfortunate. This class has given me an understanding from a macro perspective to see the relationship between the market data points which within itself is exciting for me to see on a micro level. The challenges for me now are how to keep up with this new globalization that has an enormous appetite for growth.  I was around for the last few economic bubble’s that blew up and for the most part I also fell victim to it on a personal level.  The most unfortunate was last financial bust in 2008. I was well aware of it in late 2006 - far in advance but the problem was that how I should react to it and how I should position my business against this horrible event.  Nevertheless, the wave engulfed me and my business which was extremely devastating. This time around I feel that there is another new wave emerging bubble’s that are currently forming in the near future again.

It’s often very difficult to get to know other class mates in an online class and I only wish that there were a better way of getting more dialogue with other students in an online class.  I thoroughly enjoyed the class and I look forward to utilizing my new skills of foresight as I prepare for the next phases of the globalization. 

Module 12

Bill Joy describes of 21st century technologies—genetic engineering, nanotechnology and robotics, (GNR)—will extinguish human beings as we now know it, Mr. Joy found this notion extremely disturbing. These technologies have untold promises of making our world a better place to live, however, the technology maybe also be an uncontrolled element that has already been introduced to us. In other words the genie in the bottle has already been set free.

Mr. Joy says “robotics, genetic engineering, and nanotechnology - pose a different threat than the technologies that have come before. Specifically, robots, engineered organisms, and nanobots share a dangerous amplifying factor: They can self-replicate. A bomb is blown up only once - but one bot can become many, and quickly get out of control.” 

I personally believe that we humans have a more complex form of consciousness and as a result we have evolved into what we are today.  Nevertheless, I suppose the fears of Mr. Joy are somewhat justified but I really don’t buy in the doom and gloom theory.  I understand that in some respects technology has and is the dominant force in our daily lives – I’m still confident that we as humans are still in control…a least for now. 

We have marveled at our technological advances for the last century and wondered of the future possibilities to human kind.  In our continued search of new technology there are definitely dangers unseen and mistakes will happen.  Regardless, technology will continue at exponential rate that we have ever seen in our history of the world. Yes, we need have learned much from our past successes and failures, but its lessons are not necessarily the ones Mr. Joy suggests.  Insomuch, I’ve become to believe that if are winning more than losing – we are on the right track of technological progression.