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A conversation with author Thomas L. Friedman about his book Hot, Flat, and Crowded: Why We Need a Green Revolution--and How It Can Renew America.

A conversation with author Thomas L. Friedman

Not long ago I purchased Thomas Friedman’s book, The Earth Is Flat. While I was shopping for this title I noticed another called Hot, Flat, and Crowded. I was glad to hear Friedman speak about this other title because I thought it looked interesting at the time.

I enjoyed hearing the author speak about global concerns as well as those of our country independently. I agree with Thomas on many of his points about the need for ET (Energy Technology) polices so that we might turn around the economy as well as become a greener America. Solar, Wind, and new renewable energies are the future, I only hope to see the change he addressed happen in my lifetime. These technologies are tied into our future as a country, from quality of life and supporting a larger population to having a healthier planet in general. I did feel however that he left out a very big piece in his outline for the future, that being education.

Education I believe would play a massive role in the kind of change he talks about. I am not saying there are not educated people in this country, instead that these types of programs would have to be supported by government just as much as anything else. I think we can see the current model when we look at most universities in the US and how much money the government allocates a year to the pursuit of defense and weapon technologies. How much do you think they give to renewable energy research a year? Regardless I will have to read his book if I am to see if the topic of education is covered in any more depth. All things aside, I enjoyed his talk very much and will recommend it to others.