Dell To Bring World Peace (Allegedly!) Plus The World Is Flat!

21-04-2005, 13:58

I'm not at all sure about the conclusions drawn by this bloke about the impact of globalisation, but this is a fascinating article, not least for the sheer complexity and precision of Dell's manufacturing process.

"In his provocative new book, distinguished American commentator Thomas Friedman argues that digital technology and increasing globalisation have created a 'flat earth'. In this exclusive extract he unravels the dizzyingly complex supply chain behind his laptop - and argues that it will make the world a safer place."
http://www.guardian.co.uk/g2/story/0,,1464454,00.html

Tuftus · 21-04-2005, 22:23

Was I the only person other than Andyl to find that interesting?

Monster Jedi · 21-04-2005, 22:34

Last year, of the 2.8 million science degrees awarded around the world, 1.2 million were gained by Asian students in Asian universities.

At least they now know how to make bombs

homealone · 21-04-2005, 23:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tuftus

Was I the only person other than Andyl to find that interesting?

I only just read it - yes, very interesting

the killer quote, for me, was

Quote:

If Wal-Mart was a country, it would now be China's eighth-biggest trading partner, ahead of Russia, Australia and Canada

I can see it now, World War 3 is going to be fought by people dressed in blue and white stripes, against others in green & yellow with smiley faces

Interesting article about managing the supply chain versus orders, though

21-04-2005, 23:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tuftus

Was I the only person other than Andyl to find that interesting?

Phew, I was beginning to sweat.

Homealone, yeah, thought the Wal Mart stat was a stand out scary moment too.

MJ - WTF?

homealone · 22-04-2005, 00:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by andyl

Phew, I was beginning to sweat.

Homealone, yeah, thought the Wal Mart stat was a stand out scary moment too.

MJ - WTF?

Tesco hasn't 'penetrated' so much - yet..

BBKing · 22-04-2005, 08:36

Quote:

Thomas Friedman

Careful with this chap, Andy - looking him up in Francis Wheen's 'How Mumbo-Jumbo Conquered The World' (which I heartily recommend to anyone who hasn't read it yet) he's a NYT columnist (cheerleading journal for neo-liberal neo-cons, with the emphasis on the con). This makes him about as reliable as Orwell's Ministry of Truth.

His basic tenet is that globalisation* is great, and it comes up from the poorest in the world, and is thus essentially democratic. To anyone with eyes, it rather looks like it's imposed by the richest in the world, usually with military force or rigged institutions like the IMF and World Bank.

I've got one vote in the UK general election but I have no votes on the running of Tesco, unless I'm rich enough to buy a wod of shares. Tell me which one is more democratic.

[the story about boasting to the Thai Prime Minister about getting his predecessor sacked is quite startling too]

*By which he means US corporations such as Wal-Mart, Disney, McDonalds, Budweiser.

NitroNutter · 22-04-2005, 09:08

No quality control testing with Dell systems then

parts listed
parts bolted together
Software loaded
Packed and wrapped
shipped
Dell you go sir it should work ok...

22-04-2005, 09:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by BBKing

Careful with this chap, Andy - looking him up in Francis Wheen's 'How Mumbo-Jumbo Conquered The World' (which I heartily recommend to anyone who hasn't read it yet) he's a NYT columnist (cheerleading journal for neo-liberal neo-cons, with the emphasis on the con). This makes him about as reliable as Orwell's Ministry of Truth.

His basic tenet is that globalisation* is great, and it comes up from the poorest in the world, and is thus essentially democratic. To anyone with eyes, it rather looks like it's imposed by the richest in the world, usually with military force or rigged institutions like the IMF and World Bank.

I've got one vote in the UK general election but I have no votes on the running of Tesco, unless I'm rich enough to buy a wod of shares. Tell me which one is more democratic.

[the story about boasting to the Thai Prime Minister about getting his predecessor sacked is quite startling too]*By which he means US corporations such as Wal-Mart, Disney, McDonalds, Budweiser.

Well I never said I agreed with him (the rejection by many of the Americanisation of the globe is just one major flaw in his theory). But I did think the article interesting - particularly the incredibly tight Just In Time procedures Dell uses. They must be a nightmare for suppliers.

Nitro - good point about QC!

BBKing · 22-04-2005, 09:30

Didn't think he'd be your cup of tea, it's just that quoting ideological lunatics is a bit fraught with danger, particularly ones at right-angles to reality.

[typed on a Dell with a dodgy trackpad, like most other Dells I've used. IBM's are much better quality]

Tuftus · 22-04-2005, 10:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by NitroNutter

No quality control testing with Dell systems then

parts listed
parts bolted together
Software loaded
Packed and wrapped
shipped
Dell you go sir it should work ok...

See your point however I have not had a prob with my Dimension 8300 in the 18 months I have had it, not one BSOD to date (fingers crossed)