Freidman book getting picked apart on CSPAN2 3pm

[Viva_La_Revolution]

I was hoping for this! They are discussing his 1999 book "The Lexus and the Olive Tree" at a book club in California.

So far he's been called 'far too optimistic' and 'out of touch'

:evilgrin:

Thomas Friedman's book "The Lexus and the Olive Tree" was the topic of a recent book group discussion at the Bookmark Bookstore in Oakland, California. In "The Lexus and the Olive Tree" Friedman writes about globalization, which he describes as "the integration of capital, technology, and information across national borders." In the book Mr. Friedman presents his theory that globalization is not just a trend but the new international system that has replaced the Cold War as a way of understanding the world. He also describes the tension between globalization -- represented by the Lexus -- and ancient forces of culture, geography, tradition, and community -- represented by the olive tree.


BOOK TV Schedule March 11th - 13th
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=364x631484#631544

[HillDem]

1. I like his other book

The world is flat. Didn't really agree with everything but it was a good read.

[Viva_La_Revolution]

2. My greatest arguement with his theories is that he refuses to consider

The coming crisis of peak oil. discounts it or doesn't even deal with it.

disclaimer - I haven't read his books, just his articles.

[HillDem]

3. I like his NYT stuff

I've never heard him talk about peak oil, but he does address the need for energy independence.

As he says it, "We fund both sides on the war on terror"

[1932]

4. The World is Flat is one of the dumbest books I've read in the last year.

The guy is a PollyAnna and, for the most part, ignores everything smart that contradicts his argument.

Through the first 50 pages, I kept saying to myself, "why doesn't he address Amratya Sen's argument about development, or Stieglitz's?"

On page 51 he mentions a conversation he had with Sen in a way that makes it look like he and Sen are on the same page in a very very general sense. It was funny.

[1932]

5. dup

[Kurovski]

6. His many, many, many forced analogies require an analgesic

after the first dozen.