Shay87
Sep 21, 2012
Book Reports / A Critique of "The Untouchables" by Thomas L. Friedman [2]
LaShay Harris
Dr. Brownson
Writ 101
9/17/2012
A Critique of "The Untouchables" by Thomas L. Friedman
How reliable are jobs now a day? Since America is mostly made up of the middle class, the jobs that the class have are limited especially for the lower middle class. With the use of technology and globalization, jobs today are
becoming harder to maintain because of the supply and demand. Meaning the more of a specific job is needed the more workers are required for that job, but the question remains, is there anyone adequate enough to fulfill that
job. With the demand and competition for the middle class jobs there is always need to stand out, and improve the skills required.
A piece from a book called The World Is Flat: A Brief History of the Twenty-first Century written by Friedman states the disadvantages and advantages with globalization and the need for the middle class. He points out, that
"There will be plenty of good jobs out there in the flat world for people with the right knowledge, skills, ideas, and self-motivation to seize them" (239). Not only do the middle class in America need their jobs, but also those in another
country like Sweden or India will want and need that same job. If the employer does not like the work that is being done by the employee, that employee can easily lose his/her job and be replaced by another that can do a lot more,
and bring creativity to that job.
How would someone classify globalization? Who is affected by globalization? Friedman answers these questions by stating that today the young workers will not only be competing with other Americans, but with other young
workers across the globe. Now not only to workers have to fight for jobs, but they also to fight to keep their jobs and gain new skills for that job. Friedman advises to his girls, "finish your homework-people in China and India are
starving for your jobs" (239). It a very well-played out advice, simply because of the fact that there will always be someone out there who is smarter, greater, best and cheaper worker, who will most likely take away the job. Friedman
makes good statements and sets his words out in a way to capture his readers in hope that they understand by mentioning his girls, and a part in a movie called Death of a Salesman.
Friedman has made very reasonable topic called "The Untouchables"; to Friedman the untouchables are part of the middle class, but they are the people whose jobs will not be "outsourced, digitized, or automated" (239).
There is another factor to look at as well, though most jobs like a telephone-receptionist might lose their jobs because of the simple use of recording and voice mail. The untouchables are placed into three categories; the first being
the special group, the localized and the old middle jobs. The special groups mostly consist of athletes, singers, authors, and brain surgeons. He mentions that this group is considered special because the world is in such demand
for this group. Constantly the group continues to change and become more creative with the work that they do. While the localized group mostly made of barbers, maids, plumbers, and dentist; they are called localized because
they require being face-to-face with their clients and stay where they will be needed. Lastly there is the old middle, which contains jobs like an assembly line worker or accounting. These jobs can easily be automated and digitized. I
completely agree with the statement. Today people looking for jobs cannot find one in their fields because the country is not in demand for that particular job. Often the world is in demand for one job, but has more supply for
another. For example, every country is in demand for doctors, but not enough in supply.
Friedman compared the American economy to a bell curve, with a big bulge in the middle. His opinion is that the middle class is the bulge in the middle. The middle class is what frame most of America, the backbone and pillar.
If the middle class cease to exist the economy of America will plummet downward. The country would become unstable. The economy cannot become a barbell economy, which is uneven and weighs on to sides nothing in the
middle to balance it all out. Though I would disagree simply because I know for a fact the America is mostly made of middle class citizens, but Friedman is not giving me enough facts to back up the source. He just gives a quote by
Gene Sperling, who actually argues and states, "We either grow together or we will grow apart" (241).
What jobs will be available in the new middle? What types of skills are needed, and which are no longer reliable? Friedman has made reasonable and logical point to focus on the middle class of America. He questions others to
ponder whether or not the job they currently have is abundant or if they themselves are adequate enough for that job. He gives an insight on the new middle class and what jobs will be available to keep or stick to. Though he did
not give a decent response as to how the middle class is a backbone to America, but he gives an appealing warning through his work.
Work Cited
Friedman, Thomas. "The Untouchables." Writing and Reading Across The Curriculum. 11th ed. New York: Longman-Pearson, 2012. 238-241. Print.
LaShay Harris
Dr. Brownson
Writ 101
9/17/2012
A Critique of "The Untouchables" by Thomas L. Friedman
How reliable are jobs now a day? Since America is mostly made up of the middle class, the jobs that the class have are limited especially for the lower middle class. With the use of technology and globalization, jobs today are
becoming harder to maintain because of the supply and demand. Meaning the more of a specific job is needed the more workers are required for that job, but the question remains, is there anyone adequate enough to fulfill that
job. With the demand and competition for the middle class jobs there is always need to stand out, and improve the skills required.
A piece from a book called The World Is Flat: A Brief History of the Twenty-first Century written by Friedman states the disadvantages and advantages with globalization and the need for the middle class. He points out, that
"There will be plenty of good jobs out there in the flat world for people with the right knowledge, skills, ideas, and self-motivation to seize them" (239). Not only do the middle class in America need their jobs, but also those in another
country like Sweden or India will want and need that same job. If the employer does not like the work that is being done by the employee, that employee can easily lose his/her job and be replaced by another that can do a lot more,
and bring creativity to that job.
How would someone classify globalization? Who is affected by globalization? Friedman answers these questions by stating that today the young workers will not only be competing with other Americans, but with other young
workers across the globe. Now not only to workers have to fight for jobs, but they also to fight to keep their jobs and gain new skills for that job. Friedman advises to his girls, "finish your homework-people in China and India are
starving for your jobs" (239). It a very well-played out advice, simply because of the fact that there will always be someone out there who is smarter, greater, best and cheaper worker, who will most likely take away the job. Friedman
makes good statements and sets his words out in a way to capture his readers in hope that they understand by mentioning his girls, and a part in a movie called Death of a Salesman.
Friedman has made very reasonable topic called "The Untouchables"; to Friedman the untouchables are part of the middle class, but they are the people whose jobs will not be "outsourced, digitized, or automated" (239).
There is another factor to look at as well, though most jobs like a telephone-receptionist might lose their jobs because of the simple use of recording and voice mail. The untouchables are placed into three categories; the first being
the special group, the localized and the old middle jobs. The special groups mostly consist of athletes, singers, authors, and brain surgeons. He mentions that this group is considered special because the world is in such demand
for this group. Constantly the group continues to change and become more creative with the work that they do. While the localized group mostly made of barbers, maids, plumbers, and dentist; they are called localized because
they require being face-to-face with their clients and stay where they will be needed. Lastly there is the old middle, which contains jobs like an assembly line worker or accounting. These jobs can easily be automated and digitized. I
completely agree with the statement. Today people looking for jobs cannot find one in their fields because the country is not in demand for that particular job. Often the world is in demand for one job, but has more supply for
another. For example, every country is in demand for doctors, but not enough in supply.
Friedman compared the American economy to a bell curve, with a big bulge in the middle. His opinion is that the middle class is the bulge in the middle. The middle class is what frame most of America, the backbone and pillar.
If the middle class cease to exist the economy of America will plummet downward. The country would become unstable. The economy cannot become a barbell economy, which is uneven and weighs on to sides nothing in the
middle to balance it all out. Though I would disagree simply because I know for a fact the America is mostly made of middle class citizens, but Friedman is not giving me enough facts to back up the source. He just gives a quote by
Gene Sperling, who actually argues and states, "We either grow together or we will grow apart" (241).
What jobs will be available in the new middle? What types of skills are needed, and which are no longer reliable? Friedman has made reasonable and logical point to focus on the middle class of America. He questions others to
ponder whether or not the job they currently have is abundant or if they themselves are adequate enough for that job. He gives an insight on the new middle class and what jobs will be available to keep or stick to. Though he did
not give a decent response as to how the middle class is a backbone to America, but he gives an appealing warning through his work.
Work Cited
Friedman, Thomas. "The Untouchables." Writing and Reading Across The Curriculum. 11th ed. New York: Longman-Pearson, 2012. 238-241. Print.
