Module 1 Essay

To prepare myself for this assignment I first looked up the word “globalization” in the dictionary.  Although this wasn’t the first time I had heard the word, it was indeed the first time that I had needed to pay such close attention to its meaning.  The definition that I felt was easiest to keep in mind during my reading was: worldwide integration and development.  NOW I understood the use of the word globalization when discussing Columbus!

In his book The World Is Flat, Thomas Friedman discusses the three great eras of globalization, beginning with Globalization 1.0 which began in 1492 with Columbus setting sail and thus opening up trade between the Old and New Worlds.  This era of globalization was about discovery and laying the threads that would eventually tie the world together.  As Friedman says: “…the dynamic force driving the process of global integration, was how much brawn-how much muscle, how much horsepower, wind power, or, later, steam power-your country had and how creatively you could deploy it.”  To me this was the most exciting era of globalization.  How exciting it must have been to begin discovering new and different lands, tasting their foods and meeting their people.  What an exciting world that must have been to live in.

Globalization 2.0 took place beginning right around the year 1800 and lasting up until the year 2000.  This era was driven by multinational companies that were driving down the costs of first: transportation, followed by the falling costs of telecommunication.  Globalization 3.0 is what has totally leveled the playing field, according to Friedman.  It has done that by empowering individuals with knowledge and access to technology.  Not only is the power in the hands of individuals now, it is in the hands of a much more diverse group of individuals. 

To sum up the difference between the three eras of globalization I would have to say that with each progression into a new era the power trickled down to where it presently is: at the fingertips of ordinary individuals.  In the beginning with Globalization 1.0 the driving force lay in the hands of entire countries and the monarchs who led them.  Fast forward to Globalization 2.0 and you will see that it was multinational companies and the Industrial Revolution responsible for that boom.  Finally arriving at Globalization 3.0 where a 7 year old child in a third world country could possibly gain access to information and technology that his parents never dreamed of having.

The fall of the Berlin wall was a central event that led up to Globalization 3.0.  According to Friedman it “allowed us to think of the world differently-to see it as a seamless whole.” He goes on to say that “before 1989, you could have an Eastern policy or a Western policy, but it was hard to think about having a global policy.”  Without the fall of the Berlin wall we would potentially still be living in the times before Globalization 3.0, so this was an extremely important event to someone like Friedman, who calls himself a “free-trader” and a “compassionate flatist”.

This brings us now to the topic of Netscape. Aaaaah Netscape.  Until now I had completely forgotten about Netscape!  I feel lucky enough to be an age where I was around at the beginning of Globalization 3.0, I remember using Netscape!  My father, who is a computer engineer at BYU, set up my first email account for me at age 12, a rocketmail account that I still have! Oh the nostalgia!  And Netscape plays a huge role in that nostalgia now that I think about it.  Before Netscape what else was there for a young 12 year old immigrant from Africa to enable internet usage?  I precisely remember the day that my best friend back home got email, and can I even explain the excitement of two thirteen year old best friends who were now able to communicate so efficiently across an ocean!?  All in the same day!?  Netscape was responsible for bringing the World Wide Web to everyone.  Before Netscape the internet was a place for computer geeks and scientists to share information.  Netscape, as the world’s first widely popular commercial browser, brought this phenomenon to everyday people far and wide.  I just feel lucky enough to remember this all happening! Wow am I that old?