Ever wondered how digital globalization is transforming societies and economies? How is the McKinsey Global Institute measuring digital flows? How are organizations like Twitter, Periscope and Change.org democratizing opportunities? Dive into the world of technology and innovation, and discover how famous personalities like Kayvon Beykpour are driving social change.

Thank You for Being Late: An Optimist's Guide to Thriving in the Age of Accelerations

Everyone enters journalism for different reasons, often driven by idealism. Thomas Friedman, the author, chose to be an explanatory journalist to help readers understand complex subjects like the Middle East, the environment, and American politics. 

Our democracy relies on informed voters to make intelligent policy choices and avoid falling prey to misinformation. Reflecting on Marie Curie's words, "Nothing in life is to be feared, it is only to be understood," Friedman realized the need to pause and comprehend the rapid changes driven by technology, globalization, and climate change.

In this era of acceleration, everything is changing faster than we can adapt. John Kelly III from IBM notes that while humans live in a linear world, technology is on an exponential curve, making us feel constantly accelerated. It's essential to pause and reflect, as Dov Seidman, CEO of LRN, suggests, to reconnect with our beliefs and reimagine a better path forward.

Pausing gave Friedman unexpected benefits. During breakfast meetings in Washington, D.C., he found himself thanking late guests for giving him time to think. This led to his personal declaration of independence from the whirlwind in early 2015. One serendipitous encounter with a parking attendant who also blogged about Ethiopian politics sparked a deeper reflection on his craft and the accelerating world.

The parking attendant, Ayele Bojia, exemplified how technology democratizes the ability to share ideas globally. Their discussions prompted Friedman to think more about the art of opinion writing. Good opinion pieces either illuminate an issue or stir emotions, ideally doing both. They emerge from a mix of personal values, an understanding of the world's big forces, and insights into people and cultures.

As we face rapid technological, global, and environmental changes, it's crucial to adopt a "thinking without a box" approach, integrating diverse perspectives. His encounter with Bojia helped Friedman reexamine his framework for understanding the world and inspired this book. It's an optimist's guide to thriving in an age of accelerations, exploring how technology, globalization, and climate change are reshaping our lives and how we can adapt.

In 2007, a series of technological breakthroughs, including the iPhone, Hadoop, and social media platforms, marked a pivotal point in history. These innovations accelerated the pace of change, creating a world where technology evolves faster than our ability to adapt. Eric "Astro" Teller of Google's X Lab illustrated this with a graph showing the rapid rise of technological progress outpacing human adaptability, causing societal disorientation.

To thrive in this fast-paced world, we must enhance our ability to adapt. This involves lifelong learning, agile institutions, and dynamic stability, akin to riding a bicycle.

In short, pausing to reflect and engage with others can lead to profound insights and adaptations necessary for navigating the rapidly changing world. This book offers a framework to understand and respond to the accelerations shaping our lives, aiming to build resilience and thrive in this transformative era.

Can Marie Curie's Wisdom Help Us Navigate the Rapid Changes Driven by Technology and Climate Change?

Moore’s Law has been a driving force behind the exponential growth in technology, particularly in microchips, or integrated circuits. Since 1971, Intel’s chips have become 3,500 times more powerful and 90,000 times more energy-efficient, reflecting the law's prediction of doubling transistor density every two years. This remarkable progress is akin to imagining a 1971 Volkswagen Beetle evolving to travel at 300,000 mph and get two million miles per gallon.

The revolution began in the late 1950s when engineers Jack Kilby and Robert Noyce pioneered the integrated circuit, setting the stage for the digital age. Gordon Moore, co-founder of Intel, famously predicted this exponential growth, which has transformed our world in ways he couldn’t fully foresee—ushering in the age of personal computers, smartphones, and even the Internet.

One striking example of Moore's Law is ASCI Red, a supercomputer that, by 1997, could process 1.8 teraflops. This power, once housed in a space as large as a tennis court and costing $55 million, has since been matched by PlayStation 3 consoles, demonstrating the dramatic miniaturization and cost-efficiency brought about by Moore’s Law.

This relentless advancement isn't limited to processing power alone. The miniaturization and integration of sensors have turned mundane objects like garbage cans and fire hydrants into smart devices, capable of communicating their status digitally. This ability to sense and process environmental data is part of the "Internet of Things," where even cows are connected to the cloud to optimize dairy farming.

Networking advancements have also played a crucial role. Fiber-optic cables now transmit data at near-light speeds, and wireless innovations have expanded mobile phone capabilities. Qualcomm, led by Irwin Jacobs, was instrumental in this mobile revolution, pushing CDMA technology that enabled efficient wireless Internet access, setting the stage for today's smartphones.

All these advancements converge in "the cloud," or what can be better termed as a "supernova"—a massive release of computational power that is reshaping every facet of society. This supernova allows for global connectivity and access to unprecedented computing power, fundamentally transforming how we innovate, communicate, and collaborate.

As digital exhaust becomes digital fuel, we must consider the implications for privacy and monopoly power in this new era. Nonetheless, the energy unleashed by this technological supernova is a tool unparalleled in human history, with the power to connect and empower people worldwide.

Moore's Law: The Intel Revolution that Fueled the Digital Age

On February 14, 2011, a monumental moment in human history took place on the iconic TV game show Jeopardy! A contestant named Watson competed against Jeopardy! legends Ken Jennings and Brad Rutter. 

Watson wasn't just any contestant; it was a computer developed by IBM. With lightning-fast responses, Watson showed its prowess by beating the human champions. This victory wasn't just a win for IBM but a leap for artificial intelligence, demonstrating the potential of computers to understand and respond in natural language.

IBM's John Kelly III reflected on this, noting that the advances in technology have surpassed what he thought possible within his lifetime. The term "supernova" is used to describe the explosion of energy from the cloud and other digital tools, amplifying the power of machines, individuals, and global flows to unprecedented levels. Machines now possess human-like senses and cognitive abilities, enabling them to perform tasks such as recognizing speech, translating languages, and even printing human organs via 3D printers.

This digital supernova also accelerates the flow of information, innovation, and commerce globally. One person or a small team can now achieve feats that were previously unimaginable, thanks to digital platforms and tools that simplify complex tasks to a single touch or command. This amplification of individual power is evident in stories like that of Tom Wujec from Autodesk, who recreated a digital model of a dinosaur with just his smartphone, a process that once took years and a significant budget.

The supernova isn't just about technological advances; it's reshaping industries and how we interact with the world. Companies like Airbnb have leveraged this digital explosion to create trust-based platforms that allow anyone to rent out their homes, transforming the hospitality industry. Airbnb's success story highlights how technologies born around 2007, such as smartphones and global connectivity, have enabled new business models and global reach.

Even established companies like Walmart have embraced the supernova. They've built sophisticated e-commerce platforms with far fewer resources than before, optimizing every aspect of their operations to compete with giants like Amazon. This transformation has made processes faster, cheaper, and more effective, showing how traditional businesses can adapt and thrive in the digital age.

The supernova has also empowered individuals in remote areas. For instance, in Batman, Turkey, a family-run IT company, New Media Inc., has harnessed big data and media monitoring to serve clients globally. This shows how education plus connectivity can turn seemingly underprivileged areas into hubs of innovation and entrepreneurship.

In essence, the supernova has democratized access to powerful tools and platforms, enabling anyone with a good idea and a bit of training to make a significant impact, regardless of their location or background. This revolution is reshaping the world, making it faster, more connected, and filled with endless possibilities for those willing to tap into its potential.

Did IBM's Watson Revolutionize AI by Defeating Jeopardy Legends?

Kayvon Beykpour, cofounder of Periscope, revolutionized live video streaming by allowing users to share live experiences globally. Acquired by Twitter, Periscope enabled real-time empathy and truth, exemplified by Beykpour's experience of comforting a stranger during a storm while flying over Greenland. This anecdote highlights the profound impact of digital globalization, where technology enables global connections and accelerates the exchange of ideas, information, and innovation.

Digital flows, measured by the McKinsey Global Institute, are reshaping globalization beyond traditional trade, integrating societies and fostering interdependence. Mobile technology, as seen in studies like Boston Consulting Group's, has transformed lives, with people prioritizing devices over many personal experiences, reflecting a digital revolution surpassing even the industrial era.

This interconnectedness, as experienced by Kayvon Beykpour and others, is transforming societies and economies. From enabling small businesses to thrive globally to fostering social movements through platforms like Change.org, digital flows democratize opportunities and empower individuals. The narrative of a South African activist leveraging digital petitions to combat "corrective rape" illustrates the power of these flows to drive social change.

However, globalization's dual nature means it can both empower and disrupt. The challenge lies in balancing the benefits of open digital flows with the need to address the social impacts they bring. As highlighted by Dr. Eric Leuthardt, the integration of human creativity through digital networks is accelerating change and unlocking unprecedented potential for solving global challenges.

Ultimately, while digital globalization presents challenges, its capacity to connect diverse minds and foster innovation is a powerful force for progress. The key is in harnessing this potential while ensuring that societies build the necessary social foundations to support and uplift their people in this rapidly changing world.

Periscope Cofounder Kayvon Beykpour: Pioneering Global Connections through Digital Globalization

In July 2015, Bandar Mahshahr, Iran, experienced a heat index of 163 degrees Fahrenheit, one of the most extreme temperature readings ever recorded, prompting meteorologist Anthony Sagliani to highlight the persistence of high pressure over the Middle East. This phenomenon is a stark example of what Adam Sweidan calls a “black elephant”—a visible problem with severe, predictable consequences that we fail to address, like climate change, deforestation, and ocean acidification.

The urgency of these environmental issues is underscored by the concept of "climate-speak," a language emerging as people increasingly notice unprecedented weather patterns. In Greenland, for example, phrases like “Just a few years ago…” and “Wow, I’ve never seen that before…” reflect the rapid changes in climate. Greenland’s ice loss, accelerating from 200 billion to 287 billion tons annually, exemplifies the alarming trends.

Research by scientists like Johan Rockström indicates that we are exiting the stable Holocene epoch, which allowed human civilization to flourish, and entering the Anthropocene, driven by human activity. The "Great Acceleration" shows how socioeconomic and technological forces since 1950 have stressed Earth’s systems. 

Rockström and his team have identified planetary boundaries—limits within which humanity must operate to avoid catastrophic changes. Alarmingly, we have already breached boundaries related to climate change, biodiversity, deforestation, and biogeochemical flows.

Population growth further exacerbates these issues. In Niger, population projections show a rise from 2.5 million in 1950 to 72 million by 2050, straining resources and contributing to instability. Globally, the population is expected to reach 9.7 billion by 2050, increasing the demand for resources and intensifying environmental degradation.

The "Rain Room" exhibit at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art metaphorically illustrates our impact on the environment: too many people, and the rain stops. This highlights the unprecedented power humanity now wields over nature. As Jeremy Grantham and other experts warn, our technological progress has outpaced our ability to manage its environmental consequences.

To secure a livable future, we must make compounding commitments to stewardship, clean energy, and sustainable practices. The challenge is immense, but it is critical to act now, before we exhaust Mother Nature's capacity to buffer against our impacts. The fate of our planet hinges on our collective will to make the age of accelerations our ally, not our adversary.

Can We Tackle Climate Change Before It's Too Late?

We’re living in an age of rapid acceleration. The models that underpin our societies, traditionally based on linear change, are now being upended by exponential growth. This means that organizations and individuals must learn to adapt at an ever-faster pace. Ray Kurzweil, director of engineering at Google, suggests that the progress we will see in the 21st century will be equivalent to 20,000 years at today’s rate. This raises two pressing questions: Are things getting too fast, and how do we adapt?

Erik Brynjolfsson and Andrew McAfee’s book "The Second Machine Age" offers a telling anecdote: Dutch chess grandmaster Jan Hein Donner, when asked how he’d prepare for a chess match against IBM’s Deep Blue computer, replied, "I would bring a hammer." This sentiment echoes a common fear that technological advances, especially in AI, are replacing both blue-collar and white-collar jobs.

Historically, jobs have always come and gone due to technological advancements. For instance, the typewriter was a staple in writing for over a century before being replaced by word processors and computers. Friedman personally experienced this shift as a journalist. Starting his career in 1978, he used a manual typewriter and telex machines. By the 1990s, he transitioned to using laptops and then to filing stories wirelessly over the Internet.

The pace of technological change is now even faster. For instance, in 2015, Friedman was reporting from a self-driving car developed by Google. These advances challenge our understanding of work and how we prepare for the future.

In today’s job market, the skills required are constantly evolving. For example, AT&T, faced with rapid technological changes, has implemented a robust system of lifelong learning for its employees. They offer online courses and reimburse tuition to help their workforce adapt to new demands.

Udacity, an online education platform, exemplifies the shift towards lifelong learning. It offers courses developed in collaboration with industry leaders like Google, allowing students to stay up-to-date with the latest technological advancements.

Furthermore, platforms like Khan Academy and LearnUp provide personalized learning experiences and job preparation resources, making education accessible and tailored to individual needs. For instance, Khan Academy's partnership with the College Board offers free SAT prep that adapts to students' specific weaknesses.

In the modern workplace, jobs increasingly require a blend of technical and social skills, known as "stempathy" jobs. These roles benefit from both cognitive abilities and interpersonal skills, which machines currently lack.

Adapting to this new reality involves rethinking our approach to education, work, and lifelong learning. It means fostering self-motivation, providing access to continuous learning opportunities, and creating supportive systems that help individuals navigate the fast-paced changes of our time.

In essence, we must embrace innovation in all aspects of our lives, from workplace structures to educational systems, to thrive in this era of acceleration.

Navigating the Future: Ray Kurzweil and the Acceleration of Innovation

Remember the TV show "Get Smart" with Maxwell Smart battling the sinister organization KAOS? The creators of that show were onto something. Today’s world feels like a battle between Control and Chaos, or as some prefer, the World of Order versus the World of Disorder. 

The geopolitical landscape has shifted dramatically since the Cold War, a period defined by two superpowers maintaining a delicate balance of power. Post-Cold War, America’s dominance seemed unchallenged, but recent events prove that maintaining global order is far more complex.

Post-9/11 and the 2008 financial crisis, America’s confidence and power waned, leading to a more cautious foreign policy under President Obama. His administration’s restraint, especially in the Middle East, inadvertently allowed ISIS to rise and fueled a refugee crisis impacting European politics and stability. This in turn sparked anti-immigration sentiments, Brexit, and the rise of populism across Europe.

We are now in what some call the post–post–Cold War world, characterized by a resurgence of great-power competition among the U.S., Russia, and China. However, this era also brings new challenges driven by interdependence, climate change, technological advancements, and state failures. Weak states in Africa and the Middle East face disintegration, spilling instability into more orderly regions, as seen with the refugee influx into Europe from countries like Syria and Yemen.

In such a world, America faces a paradox: intervening in failing states often leads to costly and prolonged entanglements, yet ignoring these regions invites chaos to our doorstep. The key is a nuanced approach: amplify local capacity and decency, deter aggression from rival superpowers, and degrade threats from empowered individuals and groups.

Investing in education and infrastructure in fragile states is crucial. For example, U.S. scholarships for Lebanese students and support for Iraqi universities have shown how empowering local populations can create stability. Simple yet impactful initiatives, like Bill Gates’ advocacy for chicken farming in Africa, can provide economic stability and reduce migration pressures.

Simultaneously, America must deter rivals like Russia and China, who exploit global flows for their strategic gains, while also cooperating with them to tackle shared threats like terrorism and nuclear proliferation. Containing and degrading groups like ISIS requires a blend of military action and local community efforts to delegitimize extremist narratives.

Ultimately, today’s geopolitical challenges require a blend of traditional strength and innovative, compassionate strategies. Amplify, deter, and degrade—these approaches aim to create a more stable and interconnected world where nations thrive rather than crumble. As Americans, it’s vital to remember the pivotal role the U.S. plays in maintaining global order and to approach our responsibilities with both humility and determination.

Can America Balance Chaos and Order in the Post-Post-Cold War World?

In this era of acceleration, where technology and globalization evolve at lightning speed, political systems struggle to keep up. The traditional structures in America and Europe are cracking under pressure, unable to address the interconnected challenges of climate change, technological advancement, and global politics. The political landscape demands a fresh approach, much like how ecosystems adapt to changes in nature.

Mother Nature, with her 3.8 billion years of experience, offers valuable lessons. She thrives on adaptability, diversity, and resilience. For example, the Namib desert beetle collects water from its environment, illustrating how organisms adapt ingeniously to their surroundings. Similarly, ecosystems are built on diversity, where each species plays a role in maintaining balance and resilience.

Political systems, like natural ecosystems, benefit from diversity and adaptability. Embracing pluralism—a mix of ideas, cultures, and perspectives—can spur innovation and resilience. The GOP's shift towards a monoculture, for instance, shows how limiting diversity can weaken a system, making it susceptible to invasive ideas.

Ownership, both in nature and society, fosters resilience. When people feel a sense of ownership over their communities, they are more invested in their success. This is evident in movements where citizens take charge, leading to positive change and stability.

In politics, we need a balance between federal and local governance, allowing for flexibility and innovation at the community level. This decentralization can empower local leaders to address challenges more effectively, akin to nature's nested ecosystems.

Finally, a new political mindset is necessary—one that is entrepreneurial, hybrid, and non-dogmatic. This approach transcends traditional party lines, embracing ideas that foster resilience and growth. By mimicking Mother Nature's strategies, societies can navigate the age of accelerations with agility and foresight.

In short, as we face unprecedented changes, the wisdom of nature and historical examples of adaptability offer a blueprint for resilience. By embracing diversity, fostering ownership, and innovating politically, we can thrive in this rapidly evolving world.

Darwin's Wisdom: Thriving in the 21st Century with Adaptability and Resilience

Is God in cyberspace? It's a question that was posed to Friedman during a book talk in Portland, Oregon, back in 1999. He didn’t know the answer, so he sought guidance from Rabbi Tzvi Marx, who said, "If you believe God intervenes directly in our lives, then cyberspace, full of hate speech and cybercrime, might seem God-free." 

However, in a postbiblical view, God’s presence depends on our actions and choices. Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby humorously noted that God must be in cyberspace because people often exclaim "Oh God!" when their phones fail on the London subway.

This reflection led Friedman to consider our modern world, where technology has empowered individuals to both create and destroy at unprecedented scales. The age of accelerations, fueled by advances in technology, has made our deeds and misdeeds more impactful than ever. We have the tools to eradicate diseases and solve global problems, but also to cause immense harm. The ethical implications are profound.

Leon Wieseltier highlighted the lag between technological innovation and understanding its consequences. Today, our godlike powers require a moral evolution. The world is increasingly governed by algorithms, not humans, as seen in bizarre incidents like YouTube running ads before ISIS videos and Uber’s surge pricing during emergencies.

We need a return to fundamental values. "Sustainable values" like honesty and mutual respect can rebuild trust and hope. Practicing the Golden Rule—doing unto others as you would have them do unto you—has never been more crucial.

President Obama, visiting Hiroshima, emphasized that technological advances demand moral progress. We must see our interdependence as a cause for cooperation, not competition. Embracing this mindset, we can build healthier communities, grounded in trust, collaboration, and respect. This is the moral work of our generation.

Drawing from his roots in St. Louis Park, Minnesota, Friedman witnessed firsthand the power of community. A small suburb, it produced an astonishing array of influential figures. The town’s ethos of inclusion and civic idealism shaped Friedman's worldview—a belief in the possibility of shared prosperity and pluralism. We need to recreate these values on a larger scale to thrive in the age of accelerations.

Is God Present in the Digital Age Amid Hate Speech and Cybercrime?

Friedman returned to Minnesota for book research and an encounter with Qassim Mohamed, a Somali parking attendant at Hertz, struck Friedman deeply. Despite the bitter cold, Qassim's warmth shone through as he shared how Minnesota had become home for him, albeit with different weather. This simple exchange highlighted the remarkable inclusivity of Minnesota—a place where both a long-time resident like Friedman and a recent refugee could feel at home.

Friedman's conversation with former Vice President Walter Mondale reinforced this. Over lunch, Mondale spoke of the enduring values in Minnesota politics—decency, integrity, and a commitment to the common good. Despite political squabbles, Minnesota leaders often managed to forge compromises for the community's benefit, unlike the venomous polarization in Washington, D.C.

Minnesota's public-private collaboration also stood out. Businesses viewed themselves as community citizens, contributing to local socioeconomic issues, a stark contrast to the disengaged big businesses in Washington. This collaboration built a lot of social capital—trust—between the public and private sectors.

However, Minnesota wasn’t without flaws. The systemic racism in housing and policing, especially towards African Americans and Native Americans, was a persistent issue. The deaths of unarmed black men by police and studies showing racial disparities in arrests brought these issues to light.

St. Louis Park High School mirrored Minnesota's diversity, with a mix of white, black, Hispanic, Asian, and Native American students. This demographic shift underscored the ongoing challenge of integration. Yet, the community's spirit of inclusivity persisted, aiming to make Minnesota truly "nice" for all its citizens.

Efforts like the Itasca Project, a coalition of local leaders focused on economic growth and reducing racial disparities, showcased the collaborative spirit in Minnesota. Business leaders worked together to address issues like education, infrastructure, and workforce diversity, making tangible contributions to the community’s vitality.

Returning to Minnesota, Friedman found hope in the people striving to make it a better place for everyone. From local leaders to students, there was a shared commitment to building a more inclusive and trusting community. This journey reminded Friedman of the importance of being anchored in a topsoil of trust, enriching it, and being enriched by it in turn. Minnesota and St. Louis Park were his anchor and sail, guiding him through the complexities of the modern world.

Walter Mondale and Minnesota's Unyielding Spirit of Inclusivity

The exponential growth of technology, highlighted by Moore’s Law, underscores the dramatic advancements in computing power and the ensuing societal shifts. This relentless progress has democratized the ability to share ideas globally, as seen in the rise of platforms and tools enabling unprecedented connectivity and innovation.

In light of these changes, fostering adaptability is essential. Lifelong learning and dynamic stability, akin to riding a bicycle, are crucial for thriving amidst technological and environmental accelerations. Understanding the forces shaping our world helps in building resilience and adapting to new realities.

The digital age, marked by innovations like the iPhone and social media, has created a supernova of connectivity and computational power. This transformation empowers individuals and small businesses globally, enabling remarkable achievements and fostering global interdependence. However, it also raises challenges related to privacy, monopoly power, and the need for balanced globalization.

Environmental crises, such as extreme weather patterns and climate change, highlight the urgency of addressing these "black elephants"—visible problems with severe consequences. The Anthropocene epoch, driven by human activities, demands a concerted effort towards sustainable practices and stewardship to ensure a livable future.

Adapting to rapid change requires a shift in education and work paradigms, emphasizing continuous learning and blending technical with interpersonal skills. Platforms like Udacity and Khan Academy exemplify this shift, providing accessible, personalized learning experiences.

Geopolitically, the post–post–Cold War era presents a complex landscape of great-power competition and interdependence. Addressing state failures and fostering local capacity and decency, while deterring aggression and degrading threats, are key strategies for maintaining global stability.

Drawing lessons from nature, adaptability, diversity, and resilience are crucial in both political systems and ecosystems. Embracing pluralism and fostering community ownership can create robust, resilient societies capable of navigating the age of accelerations.

Ultimately, the moral choices we make in the digital age are crucial. Cultivating communities built on mutual respect and ethical behavior is essential for bringing positive values into cyberspace.

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Thank You for Being Late: An Optimist's Guide to Thriving in the Age of Accelerations

Thomas L. Friedman

Ever wondered how digital globalization is transforming societies and economies?

How is the McKinsey Global Institute measuring digital flows?

How are organizations like Twitter, Periscope and Change.org democratizing opportunities?

Dive into the world of technology and innovation, and discover how famous personalities like Kayvon Beykpour are driving social change.

Key Ideas

#1