Keeping Our Balance panel discussion at Utica College

On October 11, Utica College and the Mid-York Library System co-sponsored a lively and thought provoking panel discussion featuring several members of the community whose lives and livelihoods have been impacted by globalization. The panel, expertly led by Utica College Associate Professor of Economics Richard Fenner, was comprised of Christopher Abdoo, Teacher, New Hartford Central School; Andrew Faber, M.D., Medical Director, Hospitalist Program, Faxton-St. Luke's; John Furman, President of Central New York Citizens in Action; Tim Reed Former President, ECR International and Utica Boilers; Ben Sitler Vice President of Operations - Fiber Instrument Sales-China, Abby Youngblood, Co-owner, Old Path Farm and Special Invited Guest, Nezir Jasarevic, Bosnian refugee and local businessman. More than 100 people attended this event, which was recorded and will soon be available on DVD and via streaming video.

Guest Post by Bill McKibben, author of Deep Economy

The idea that the world works best as a fully globalized economy is an artifact of the world of cheap fossil fuel. The average bite of food that we eat, for instance, travels 2000 miles before it reaches our lips. Which makes a great deal of sense if oil is inexpensive, and if we pay no attention to the effects of burning it (those pesky melting icecaps!). My guess is that we will start to evolve a very different looking planet if and when we start to take seriously the actual cost of energy.

I think the logic of a world like that tends towards localization, not globalization; and it tends towards durability, not growth. The vested interests of our current system will fight hard to maintain it, but in the long run they are defending an illogical system, as soon as the economic law of gravity starts to shift. Which it will, if the price of fossil fuel ever reflects its cost.

Bill McKibben 10/09/2007

About the author: BILL MCKIBBEN is an environmentalist and writer who frequently writes about global warming, alternative energy, and the risks of genetic engineering. His first book, The End of Nature, was published in 1989. It is regarded as the first book for a general audience about climate change.His most recent book, Deep Economy: the Wealth of Communities and the Durable Future, was published in March 2007 and addresses the shortcomings of the growth economy and envisions a transition to more local-scale enterprise. Bill is a frequent contributor to The New York Times, The Atlantic Monthly, Harper's, Orion Magazine, Mother Jones, The New York Review of Books, Granta, Rolling Stone, and Outside. He is also a board member and contributor to Grist Magazine. He has been awarded Guggenheim and Lyndhurst Fellowships, and won the Lannan Prize for nonfiction writing in 2000.

See http://www.midyork.org/regionalread/author_bio.htm for a complete biography and visit Bill's official website at http://www.billmckibben.com/

Guest Post from Sherwood Boehlert

GUEST POST from SHERWOOD BOEHLERT

More than any other book in memory, The World is Flat had a major impact on my thinking and my approach to the macro issues of our day. For openers, the new "flat world" makes it possible for people far removed from the epicenter of anything -- government, finance, the media, you name it -- to have instant access to the most valuable and powerful tool known to humankind: information.

That information revolution, chronicled so well in Friedman's book and other writing, means that Central New Yorkers are just a mouse click away from just about everything that is required to chart a course for succeeding in this most competitive (on a global basis) environment. It means that so much in terms of exposure to ideas and opportunities is just as available to people in Rome, New York as those in Rome, Italy. Our competition at home is not just next door, or in the next state or even across the country. Our competition is anywhere and everywhere and nothing surpasses the computer and the advent of the internet in bringing that fact of 21st century life about.

Every year the annual cycle of college graduations would find me on one campus or another, often several, to deliver commencement addresses. Always I tried mightily to deliver a message that would have meaning for the graduates and all who surround them on this highlight day in their lives. And always, my crackerjack staff would rise to the occasion with a speech which was well received. Last year, I told them they had time off for good behavior -- I wrote every word of my speech, and it was the same for several commencements. I gave the audience an assignment by saying, do yourself a favor by reading and learning from The World is Flat.

Friedman doesn't tell us about some dream world, but rather provides a stark and revealing look into the world that is. His commentary on everything from geopolitics to trade to education to energy is eye opening and instructive. Without question, The World is Flat (more than two years on The Times best-seller list as a hardback, now in the midst of a predicted long run as a paperback) is one of the most important books of our time. Just reading it is not enough to gain maximum advantage from the exposure to the reporting and thinking of a deserved Pulitzer winner. The World is Flat requires the kind of regional dialogue it is generating in Central New York. All engaged in the exercise will be the better for it.

Sherwood Boehlert, October 1, 2007

Note: Sherwood Boehlert served in the United States Congress House of Representatives as our representative from the 24th Congressional District from 1983 to 2007. During his tenure he served as the Chair of the House Science Committee and was also a staunch supporter of the environment. He also served as the Oneida County Executive from 1979 to 1983. Since his retirement he has devoted his time to his family and pursuing his intellectual passions in the private sector. Mr. Boehlert is a graduate of Utica College.

We invite your thoughts on globalization

How has globalization impacted your life?

Please share here your thoughts on how a flattened (globalized) world has personally affected your life, from the most routine interactions with others to life-changing events. For example:

• Have you experienced a customer service transaction with someone from a different country?
• Have you started a new business with global connections?
• Has your job been impacted by global economic changes?
• Has the internet allowed you to communicate on a more globalized level in any way?
• What are your thoughts about all of the recent news stories regarding unsafe consumer products that have come out of Asia?
• Have you traveled to another country for business or leisure and if so what were your impressions as they relate to the flattening (globalization) of the world?

We want to hear your thoughts. Also, if you have a comment that pertains to one of the special topics listed on the right of this screen please take a look at the questions posted on each of those blogs. We would love for you to participate there also. You may remain anonymous if you choose, but please keep all comments appropriate for a public forum and on topic.

How to participate in this blog or any of the Topic Blogs to the right

1) Click on the Comments link at the end of the post you would like to comment on.

2) Once you have typed in your comment, you may "Choose an identity" to personalize your comment or you may remain anonymous.

3) Click on the appropriate choice (signing in with a Google Account is not necessary)

4) Click on "PUBLISH YOUR COMMENT"

Note: All of your views on globalization are important. Divergent viewpoints are welcome. The Regional Read Topic Blogs are moderated after posting to ensure that comments are related and appropriate to the topic.

Welcome to the Regional Read Globalization blog

Hi everyone,
I would like to welcome you to the Mid-York Library System Regional Read globalization blog. We hope people will post here their general ideas about globalization. In addition we would like to direct you to post your comments and thoughts on the eight individual topic blogs. These include: MY Environment, MY Connections, MY Business, MY Health, MY Rights, MY Education, MY Culture and MY Politics. Please see the links to the right of the this posting for access to each of these blogs and the Mid-York Library System Regional Read website.