“The World Is Flat” video by Thomas Friedman is a chance to learn better the list of software and hardware events and understand the essence of the trends in technology that have already become a kind of “flatteners” in the society. However, the information mentioned in the video proves that there is no end of possible technological improvements and innovations.
The analysis of Friedman’s book shows that it is a matter of time when some new trends can appear and become the next flattener in the sphere of technology. The Internet of Things, 3D printing, and mobile payments may become the next three trends in technology and be called the “flatteners” that can affect the future generations and even define the quality of life.
Within a short period of time, billions of things will be connected to the Internet. This technology is called the Internet of Things and presupposes a scenario according to which the majority of objects, animals, and even people will be provided with their own identifiers and the abilities to share information on a global level without any additional devices.
It may be called a flattener as it may change the way of life and processes crucial for any kind of business. It affects future generations due to the possibility to make an object something greater than it is by itself. 3D printing is another flattener that can change the world due its possibility to create objects of any shape from different digital files. It helps to unite different spheres of life and promote the development of new materials, ideas, and commerce that can provide future generations with more opportunities.
Finally, mobile payment is the third trend that can become a flattener due to its possibility to replace any other kind of payment and the necessity of money presence at all. People should not take care of any cash. All they should have is an appropriate device. It helps to save time and space considerably and prove that the technological progress has its advantages.