I understand your point of view, but to some of your points:

Middle east peace is an oxymoron. Perhaps it might not be in the future, but during my entire life there has not be any 3 year period when there has not be killing and conflict in that region. Peace there is like the adage about going to a hockey game: “went to a hockey game and during the fighting, a game broke out” There is peace and there is a temporary truce. Regardless of who is to blame or who is meddling, there has not been peace in the middle east.

As for your comment on global citizens, please understand the critical mass theory. You may be right about the 20% figure, but that is a huge number. In the advertising industry there is and has been much consternation about Tivo and DVRs changing the way people watch TV, about how people fast forward through commercials etc. Well, right now only 10% of TV households have DVRs and yet that has caused the entire industry to change.

Thanks for you thoughtful comments.

David

Although I am optimistic about this direction, I think that is an overstatement. “We are all”…disagree. Maybe 20%.

“The Internet, communications satellites, live TV and billions of cell phones around the world have created a world where, in terms of communication, there is no longer any time and distance.”

As much as I’m a techie and value the benefits and opportunities that the Internet, etc have created, I think that you’re thinking is far ahead of the reality in regards to “…there is no longer any time and distance.” Leading with vision you are, but not to confuse that with the present state of affairs.

“Middle East Peace is an oxymoron” – I think that’s strong language. There might actually be a chance for peace in the Middle East if it were not for the meddling ways of countries like the U.S. and Britain. The problems associated with religious intolerance, terrorism and nationalism are not much different than the mass consumerism, ignorance, arrogance, deception, fraud and selfishness displayed throughout our country, by leaders and citizens alike. We should look in the mirror more closely before casting too many stones. If we don’t even understand ourselves and what made us go so far south, how can we begin to judge other cultures and people?

Very early in “The World is Flat,” Friedman notes that nationalism and terrorism are the two forces, which seem to be making their presence felt more and more, opposing flattening. In the middle east, both forces are heavily in play. In Russia and China, nationalism is very definitely a major factor. I do not have as strong opinions about Indian nationalism

Think of all the news stories you have watched or read about in your lifetime and remove all the ones concerning the Middle East.

Solving the problems of religious intolerance and dependency on oil will go a long way, but that is a massive task.

Keep the faith
David

Imran