dispatches from the new world of work

Must Read!

2 Black Swans on open sea

This from Golden Bay New Zealand: Believe it or not, I use my couple (okay, three) weeks away from VT Cold to read, as well as hike and hike and hike. This year's pick after 10 days: Fareed Zakaria's The Post-American World. Indian-born Zakaria is as clear-headed an analyst of the state of the world as you'll find. (Niall Ferguson is my alternate in this category.) The book is far from declinist literature, despite the title. As Zakaria begins, "This book is not about the decline of America but, rather, the rise of everyone else." ("Everybody else" is everybody else—not just China and India.)

While the recession, or perhaps depression, seems to relentlessly accelerate, I think there's little doubt that his analysis will stand the test of the current crisis. For those (neo-Marxists?) who think the current situation signals the end of capitalism as we know it, don't bother with this book. Zakaria is clear, per his data and analysis rather than polemics, that this extraordinary rise-of-the-rest is, in fact, fueled mostly by American capitalism.

This "must read" is indeed a "must read"—hopeful but not rose-colored by any means.

Picture above: Black Swans, two, no less, and God help us, in Waimeha Lagoon, Kapiti Coast, north of Wellington. Picture 2 (also Kapiti Coast): And some will rise above the waves!

Parasurfer

Tom Peters posted this on 02/03/09.

Comments

Here is the handsome (I guess I could have left that out) ever bright Fareed Zakaria with the brilliant Nassim Nicholas Taleb on his weekly Sunday show FZ GPS on CNN:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tD0t3k0dnoc

Thank you for the recommendation, TP. I will order the book. There is no doubt that the American model of capitalism has spurred great global economic growth for many countries and that it will be strengthened and made better by the crisis.

The inward look is imperative.

I am incredibly optimistic in this very moment of uncertainty. There is much to be done.

By the way, Nassim's on facebook with Nouriel Roubini where they initiate a "grassroot movement to claw back bonuses."

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=51818722129&ref=mf

Cool shots, TP! Thanks!

Posted by Judith Ellis at February 3, 2009 4:24 PM

The 9 month old Zakariaohohoh drivel is ancient history that only an ancient duo like TP & fast Judita would imbibe in! 30 million - 30 million Chinese newly unemployed - uprisings & riots daily - freedoms rising up - USA to takeover Siberia - that is the new book - nope the book is too late as the TP recession gains speed & runs it over like yesterday's roadkill :>)!

Posted by Contraire at February 3, 2009 7:11 PM

Contraire,

Now that's funny right there...I don't care who you are.

Palin may have been on to something when she mentioned the idea of seceding from the US. With the new stimulus package, they've included a provision for Palin to continue building her bridge to nowhere...to create jobs of course.

Posted by Candy Man at February 3, 2009 8:56 PM

And I have the advantage of living within 100 meters of both of these shots. Drop me a line next time you are in the area.

Posted by Ian at February 3, 2009 9:27 PM

Thanks for plugging our beautiful country New Zealand, also known as "Land of the Long White Cloud"

Posted by Shaun O'Neill at February 4, 2009 3:13 AM

One of my very favorite singers, Dame Kiri Te Kanawa, is from New Zealand. She is also a wonderful person.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k55AnJSvxlA

She didn't quite fulfill her dream of being Tina Turner, but this is rather real and quite good:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kFAMM5R_GlA

The awesome conductor and composer, Andre Previn, is on piano.

New Zealand is a beautiful country!

Posted by Judith Ellis at February 4, 2009 7:59 AM