Here are a few Friedman questions we didn't get to and that could make interesting discussion on Wed.

1. If you're in one of the STEM fields, why did you choose it? Under what circumstances (if any!)would you do graduate work? (inspired by Tony's post) 

2. Why don't more American students go into the STEM fields? Is the issue one of money? (Meng)

3. How would you rate the US in its ability to compete against foreign competition? (Dennis) Has America slipped or have other counties gotten better in recent years? If both, which one has more impact? (Adam) How important is it that the US be a superpower? (William)

4. What would Friedman's reaction be towards using Africa and other third world nations as labor instead of mainly south Asia? (Matt L)

5. What are Friedman’s views on how oil is a flattener or non-flattener (Nate)? [see p. 574-578]

6. How do religious conflicts act as an unflattener? (Osman)

7. How credible do you find Friedman's writing about technology? (inspired by a question from Kyle) How has technology changed since he wrote the book, and how might those changes affect the flatteners section (Matt W)?

Also, I posted a picture I promised to explain and that relates to globalization in the Islamic world.