Module Five

There are three parts to Friendman’s triple convergence, the first part being when computers started performing duties that a human being used to perform. Around the year 2000 is when the first part of the convergence began to take effect. Businesses and individuals began developing skills to produce items more quickly and more efficiently. A person can now reserve a seat on his/her airline flight in the comfort of their own home with a computer instead arriving at the airport early to stand in line and be greeted by a ticket agent. As Friedman said, you, the individual are paying the airlines to be their employee. The consumer is now performing duties, using a computer, that a human being used to perform.

The second part Friedman’s triple convergence is the merger of the new playing field for doing business and the new ways of doing business. The use of computers to make our daily lives easier has opened up new opportunities world-wide. Companies are able to complete daily work in a much cheaper and expeditious manner. The work is now being done by computer programs instead of being complete by the individual. Businesses in the United States are able to employ workers from another country to perform the same duties as Americans at a much lower cost.

The third part of the triple convergence is China, India and the former Soviet Union emerging onto the playing field. The final part has given people around the world opportunities to play, connect, collaborate and create with people in a cost effective and powerful way. With the emergence of these three countries, the playing field became much more flat. Businesses now have the opportunity to collaborate with other businesses in other countries to produce an item at a much lower cost in a more equitable manner.

The triple convergence has made it possible for businesses to tap into a larger pool of highly skilled workers from all over the world. The cost of labor in a foreign country is much cheaper and the skill level of those workers remains high. Businesses are able to gain more profits here in the United Sates while giving workers in another country the ability to earn a good wage without having to leave their country. This type of business practices supports the progress of both countries.

In the India versus Indiana, it is my opinion that the exploiter is Gov. Joe Kernan and the exploited are the people of Indiana and India. The State of Indiana had the perfect opportunity to have a better computer system at a much lower cost, saving the taxpayers of Indiana a substantial amount of money. The fear that America is going to be taken over by another country ruled what was decided in this case. Fear of the unknown drives man to extreme lengths and this story is perfect example of that. There were obvious advantages for people in both of the countries to gain from the contract being fulfilled. Instead the politician took the information and distorted the end result and used it as a basis for his campaign to gain his seat in government. The politician immediately began to destroy the contract that was entered into with the company from India. He used this stage to strike fear in his constituent’s heart for his own personal gain. The possibilities that could have come from the collaboration with India were overlooked. The Engineers from Indiana had an opportunity learn from the engineers in India and vice versa. It could have been a win-win opportunity.

Intellectual property is a creation of the mind or invention such as computer software, music, and art. Intellectual property is the basis for the world as we know it. The computer and its programs are the foundation for businesses today. Without the inventions/ideas of the individual or intellectual property businesses would not be as prosperous as they are today. It gives businesses the ability to collaborate with people across the world to achieve a similar goal.

The ability for businesses to communicate and collaborate across the world was the result of the triple convergence. Allowing business to grow and earn profits like never before. Inventions being created and expanded upon to create a more competitive arena for businesses.