Comparative Advantage: Individuality

Some countries are better at doing things than other countries; true.  Why? Because countries are composed of individuals.  Individuals have their own talents, skills, weaknesses, and strengths.  When you combine all of these elements together, what do you get?  A sum total of every angle of every individual combined.  This leaves the country with its own overall total of talents, skills, weaknesses, and strengths.  We have all experienced a change within ourselves because of the influence of another individual whom we are closely associated with- whether it be a neighbor, friend, or especially family member.  This is how a culture is formed.  A group of people slowly meshes together and becomes quite similar.  Granted, they are still individuals and remain distinct, but when looked at as an overall whole it is easy to decipher what talents and skills they have.  In the case of Friedman’s “The World is Flat” he frankly states that, “every region of the world has its strengths and weaknesses…(Friedman 412).” 

What an interesting principle to try to understand!  Every country contributes to the growth and development of the world in its technical advancements, ideology, medicine/health improvements and findings, education, and so forth.  Because of each country’s “specialties” we can all benefit.  However, it is also easy to discern the weaknesses of each country as well (we have become quite good at it, sadly).   When we focus on the strengths and resources we each have (just as we are taught in our homes as individuals) everyone prospers. 

The next major issue that has come from the flattening of the world is whether or not globalization equals Americanization.  There are, as always two sides to the debate.  Many have feared that because America has such a large influence on the rest of the world that rather than being distinct, as talked about before, we would all slowly morph into one mass American-influenced society.  What a boring, unproductive, and unsuccessful world we would live in if this were the case!

However, many fail to observe the positive influence the Internet has on this issue.  The ability to upload presents the opportunity for individuals all around the world to share their culture-meaning their “native dress, native cuisine, native music, and extended family-all the things that make up a native culture (Friedman 479).”  I have just recently begun noticing the American style change towards more European and even Indian styles! Culottes, a very Indian-based style of pant has become quite popular.  Not quite as recent are the European recipes that are extremely posh.  There are many examples of the positive effects globalization has had on the world, and it has not meant in any form that Americanization has been the result.  These styles, recipes, etc. have been a direct result of individuals placing their culture on the web where anyone and everyone can learn and then apply them into their own lives, halfway across the world. 

After studying this section my understanding of self-directed consumers is that when one sees a need, they fill the need.  If a product is not created or ones’ way of life is not ‘up to par’ they do something about it.  This is the world we live in today, hard work and imagination truly do get you places and what is even greater are the resources available today to provide entrepreneurship.  I would not consider myself a self-directed consumer.  I often see needs, but do not even scratch the surface of all that is available literally at my fingertips.  However, this book has begun helping me change towards becoming a self-directed entrepreneur.  If the opportunity to improve life is available, do it!