fridays with friedman: getting started

Sooo... we're going to get serious here for a bit. I'm currently reading a fantastic book titled, 'Hot, Flat, and Crowded' by Thomas L. Friedman, and it gets me fired up like the topic of urban sprawl (which is also discussed in the book).

"Friedman explains how global warming, rapidly growing populations, and the expansion of the world's middle class through globalization have produced a dangerously unstable planet - one that is 'hot, flat, and crowded." ...He also shows how the very habits that led us to ravage the natural world led to the meltdown of the financial markets and the Great Recession. The challenge of a sustainable way of life presents the United States with an opportunity not only to rebuild its economy, but to lead the world in radically innovating toward cleaner energy. And it could inspire Americans to something we haven't seen in a long time -nation-building in America- by summoning the intelligence, creativity, and concern for the common good that are our greatest national resources."

So, I've been given a challenge; under the same concept as Music Monday's, I'll be starting Friday's with Friedman and I'm inviting you to join me! I'm only on page 73, so it will be easy for you to catch up. I'd be 100% interested in hearing your thoughts about it as we go, and can't wait to see what YOU think! It's been something that I've been trying to start for quite a while, but have been intimidated by the thought because I would start with a point and go off on another tangent, which would take me to another and another, and it basically just became IMPOSSIBLE to figure out where to start!

It doesn't matter if you are a member of the democratic party, republican party, or if you practice a religion or not... this is a book that I seriously think that every person should read. Yeah... one of THOSE books!! It's thought-provoking, challenging, and full of issues that people need to be aware of.

We'll plan on getting deeper into it next Friday, but this gives you a week to snag the book* and catch up -- you'll want to... trust me.


*be certain to purchase the most recent version of this book: Release 2.0 - Updated and Expanded. The first edition was released in August of 2008, and the later in November of 2009. Goodness knows a TON happened in that gap, so again, be sure to get the updated version. :)