Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

Thomas Friedman has offered up yet another book of non-fiction that not only reads like the fiction of a good novelist but for the most part is. Much like his former fare, get ready for a media blitz of bogus and bumptious baloney. Even worse, a book like The Earth Is Flat is downright dangerous, in that it will be used by everyone on every side of every issue as evidence for everything, although all it really is is the output of an overly fertile mind that finds meaning in silly sentences and turns them into trends of historic value. The Earth Is Flat touts India as the killer app of broadband, much like every other writer who has no idea about how technology has transformed the US as well. And who stays in five star hotels and writes about booms that are limited to three city blocks. It talks about Bangalore as if it is a threat of immense proportions. Well there are 45 flights into and out of Bangalore every day and about five times that many out of Tampa FL. Not to talk of San Francisco, or every other city where the real American economy resides. There are no more than 3000 students who graduate from the top institutes in India, and everyone else has a degree no better than a diploma. An average American has far more understanding of technology than technology workers in India, is far more productive, and adjusting for wage differences, a far better hire. Absenteeism is rampant even at professional firms in India. And what Thomas Friedman will never tell you is that no Infosys or other success he touts has EVER invented anything of value in India. In other words, Thomas Friedman is making the mistake of presuming that in the economic system, if someone does bodyshopping to cheaper labor in third world countries they are a potential threat to the US. It is about as sensible as saying hiring a baby sitter or nanny means you lose control over your marriage or ownership of your house. Perspective is important and the nonsensical fare put forward by The Earth Is Flat should be avoided.