What College BuysTimes Article/Friedman?

"How important is college to Americans? — it’s more important than peace in the Middle East."

The above quote, actually two parts of one paragraph, seems to sum up the Times article quite well.

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I believe that Friedman would view information in this article as a clear indication of how students need to adjust to an everchanging world. One indication of this is the text that reads,

"it shows not that its holder has learned something but rather that he is the kind of person who could learn something."

College diplomas, according to this article, are not measured so much for what is learned, but rather for the fact that a student is capable of learning and thinking. This is a valuable skill to have in the toolbox for the 21st century.

I also believe that Friedman would agree with the assertion that "the biggest rewards have gone to those whose intelligence is deployable in new directions on short notice, not to those who are locked into a single marketable skill, however thoroughly learned and accredited."

I say this simply due to the fact that Friedman often discusses how common everyday companies have taken what they have, and what they know and stepped outside of the box to make it into something more. The ability of the companies in each of his flatteners, as discussed in the book, have led to creating a more globalized world that allows for business to grow wherever business desires. What is cheaper, what is flexible, what is prepared to jump in place before, during, or after is what matters in today's economy.

Finally, I found the quote about 30-year old college graduates earning over 50 percent more than 30-year old high school graduates rather interesting. It seems to stipulate that having a diploma isn't just a luxury or for the few lucky ones, but rather it is a necessity if we want to get anywhere in today's ever evolving world.