Module 7

Jayden Nyman

IST 1100

Module 7

            Friedman expresses that comparative advantage is the reason that some countries or regions are better at accomplishing things then some other countries and regions. Some countries are developed better because each country has different belief systems, education levels, and economic practices. Friedman explains that comparative advantage is there because of some countries lacking or being slower than other countries when it comes to social, political, and global change. It makes sense, because in today’s world it is obvious that some countries are struggling more than others. Education levels are so much different from country to country. I think that education is the easiest way to try and show comparative advantage because more people can relate to education and have experienced first hand what education is like in our own country. One country may be better at producing items, while another country is better at coming up with the idea to create the item. Each country has its own way of doing things and some countries do it better than others, this is comparative advantage.

            Freidman classifies people who use the Internet to their advantage to search, compare, and buy products as self-directed consumers. These people use the Internet to their advantage using it to research products and buy things online. A great example of something a self-directed consumer would use is Amazon.com, Ebay.com, and Aliexpress.com. My favorite though especially in Utah is Ksl.com. Ksl.com is used for people located around Utah to find, sell, and buy used and new products. This is great because it offers great prices to people who are being self-directed consumers and looking for a bargain. I know that I am without question a self-directed consumer. I use Amazon.com, Ksl.com, and Ebay.com on a daily basis. I use these websites to find good deals on products that I would like to purchase. Many of the products I find online are much cheaper than in the local stores. I seem to use Ksl.com more than any other website. I have bought and sold more things on Ksl.com than I can even remember. I have sold 3 cars and bought 2 off Ksl.com in the last 2 years. To me I am definitely a self-directed consumer. Now days I don’t know of many people who are not self-directed consumers, other than maybe my grandparents who don’t know how to properly use the Internet.

            Freidman explains that globalization means Americanization, but only in some ways. Not all of the things that have happened flattening the world have affected both globalization and Americanization. A lot of things have though, like American entertainers and American fast-food chains that were taking advantage of the flattening of the world. Freidman stated, “Globalization would have an American face, an American look, and an American Taste.” This meaning America was going to benefit from globalization and the flattening of the world.  

            This reading was very intriguing, but I really like the second essay question about self-directed consumers. This really described what I have been doing for the past few years. I never looked at it in this way until reading these chapters in the book. Freidman really puts his thoughts into a perspective that you can relate to and put your own thoughts around.