Module 9

In the reading this week I learned that now that all the components are in place, how companies maximize the ability to outsource and have everything ready within a matter of hours. Parts from all over the world. Ready to be assembled. Also with everything, when we create something to help us to be better and to grow there are always people who want to abuse it and use it for their own gain. There are two sides to every coin. We are able to be so much more productive now but with that those who seek to do damage also are able to be more profitable from it. Also that for your society to last and remain profitable you have to be able to create something. There is only so much oil and once it’s gone you can’t regrow it or plant it.

The making of a DELL computer all begins with either a call or an order from online. Every two hours and e-mail with these orders is sent out to all the collaborating companies who build the parts of the computers. These parts are expected to be delivered in ninety minutes. DELL tracks every part every second so they can keep track of everything. The parts are then delivered from suppliers, and uploaded by DELL. The bar codes are registered, and put in protective bins for safety. So all of this could happen in as little as ninety minutes and as long as three and a half hours. Within that first couple hours everything has already been ordered and delivered. Once everything is there assembly can start. Where do these parts come from though? The parts come from all over the world two of the exact same parts could come from complete opposite sides of the world. DELL has to make sure that if something happens to a distributor they don’t lose out on the business so they order from different companies to make sure they are able to maintain customer service, and make a profit.

            With all of the good that globalization does, and all that it can bring about. There are always those who are looking for personal gain from something that was designed to be a tool. Al-Qaeda, is able to do more recruiting, transfer more information. Just as we can call a friend across the world. They are able to set up plans, or “pull the trigger” from anywhere in the world they want. They are able to recruit more people of all ages as they grow. They can bring people in from anywhere in the world to do what they wish. Just like DELL ordering the parts for the computers al-qaeda can bring in people from anywhere to accomplish their plans.

            The curse of oil allows the government of which ever group of people drilling and collecting the oil to go unchecked. Just like with anything else. If the people are working and getting money then they don’t see the need to change. The people aren’t taxed, but they also don’t have much say in what happens politically. The oil isn’t a permanent resource that you can just plant and regrow. Once the oil is gone it’s gone and if you can’t find another place to tap you are looking at all those people who are used to that income no longer have it. When the people under the leaders aren’t happy, usually that leads to a revolution. So the problem is while you have an income now. What are you going to do when it runs out? The only skills you have are digging for oil which is no longer there. You have to produce something from resources that you have. Something you can make and turn into profit.