Response to Friedman's Chapter 5 (the affected)

I think Thomas Friedman’s chapter five, America and Free Trade teeters on the idea that many Americans are afraid. While a flat world might not affect America as a successful, powerful country, it does affect the individual directly. Friedman tries to calm some of the fears that Americans have in this chapter by saying passages such as, “you can be sure that new knowledge jobs will open up at decent wages for anyone who keeps up his or her skills” (265). I believe Friedman is exactly right; a global market will only make room for more and more inventions, specialized companies, and incoming jobs as others become obsolete. The problem is people who are “keeping up on their skills” are not the ones primarily concerned. The real problem here is the comforts that Americans have become accustom to. Many families have made a comfortable standard of living for themselves on labor jobs and they do not want the competition of other people who are willing to do the same jobs as them for less money.
Friedman states, “Some American knowledge workers may be affected in the transition, but the effects will not be permanent” (265). When you take on the point of view of an entire country, yes the small amount of who will lose their jobs in the transition is not of great concern. But for them, of course losing their jobs and way of life will be a huge concern. Again, I work with people who are very comfortable with their factory pay and routine job responsibilities. I can’t imagine Friedman looking at them and saying, “Do not worry, you are only the few who will lose their job, others are flourishing.” I realize this is an exaggeration, and I believe that Friedman does not speak directly to these people because ultimately their fate lies in their own hands. “In order to maintain or improve their living standards, they will have to move vertically not horizontally. They will have to upgrade their education and upgrade their knowledge skills so that they can occupy one of the new jobs” (267). I suppose that I just hope they are aware and ready to take on these new challenges, and I fear they are not.
Also, Friedman presents the idea that “the pie keeps growing” (267) that our wants and needs are expanding and will continue to expand, opening new jobs in the future. Maybe so but I wonder when the expanding pie stops. I find it difficult to imagine it is ongoing. Does it stop when natural resources are gone or when our population is too large? These environmental issues echoed in my ear as I read on. Sure, the social benefits now are noticeable and wonderful, but where is the limit.
Perhaps I too have a limited imagination as Friedman says, “the only limiting factor is human imagination” (267). I respect Friedman very much as an author and this novel has allowed me to question things that I would not have questioned before but I am curious to hear what others have to say on this topic! What issues came up for you?