Glimpse of a Flat World

View of the San Diego skyline from the USS Ronald Reagan
docked on Coronado Island

I visited California early this year for the first time. As part of a 6-week program, I stayed in an apartment along a palm-lined street in La Joya, San Diego.

There is nothing like standing in someone else’s porch to gain a different perspective on the differences that lie on the other side of the fence. I cannot say that I now understand American politics or democracy better (even Americans are confused about their own politics).

What I took back home was a broader appreciation of their complex institutions and systems which allow forces to play.

My Chinese classmate reflected my thoughts when he said that ‘everything is grand in America’—from cheese burgers to interstate highways. Aside from the physically grand infrastructures, what makes America ‘grand’ is the complex network of efficient, virtual systems which reduce cost, time and energy. There are less over-the-counter and more over-the-internet transactions.

It is indeed a convergence of numerous systems: from the broadband network to the network of systems that facilitate and secure the movement of goods, from the secure portals to the banking system.

Journalist Thomas Freedman focused on this phenomenon of how access to services is no longer constrained by space and time in his book entitled “The World is Flat”. Many services, such as processing of customer complaints and producing game designs, are now outsourced. Numerous call centers mushroomed in Manila and Bangalore where labor is cheaper than in the West.

In a ‘flat world’, my Los Angeles-based friend calls a restaurant located along Sunset Boulevard and talks to a lady in Bangalore for his table-for-two, non-smoking-section reservation. (He said that even with an American accent, one can tell that the lady at the other line is definitely not in the US.)

When my Indian classmate at UCSD ordered a book from Amazon to be delivered to a San Diego address, she received an email explaining that it will take 4 weeks for the book to arrive. Apparently, the only available copy is sitting on a shelf in a warehouse in Mumbai. She found it hilarious because she will carry the said book with her back to her hometown in Mumbai. She has visited all the major bookstore chains in Mumbai but all copies had been sold.

A credit card or debit card is one’s key to online transaction which covers a wide range of needs and wants. I was invited to the opera in downtown San Diego. I asked if we need to meet early to get tickets. I was told that the tickets had been ordered online and printed at home.

For our road trip to Los Angeles (gotta see Hollywood babe), we rented a van. The transaction took no more than 10 minutes and 2 requirements: copy of driver’s license and credit card details. The more difficult part was pumping gas on the vehicle. Figuring out the entire process took 20 minutes: insert the credit card, key in the desired liters and pump gas.

Most airlines in the US allow passengers to check-in, select a seat and print a boarding pass no more than 24 hours before the flight. For budget airlines, one must be at the airport hours in advance to make it to the first batch to board the plane. The objectives: to select a good seat and to be able to store hand carry luggage at the overhead compartment.

My American friend told me that the only time he visited his bank was when he applied for an account. After that, all transactions were done online. To deposit checks, he scans them and emails to the bank. Another friend was caught speeding at the interstate. He received his bill through the post (a photo of his plate number was included). He paid the fine online. No one took his driver’s license so there was no opportunity for corruption or harassment. Although the process resulted to less hassle for my friend, the message was delivered: beat the speed limits again and you will pay hard-earned dollars. Big brother is watching.

What does this mean for the citizens of the First World? In a society where specialized skill and knowledge enhance competitive edge, 30 minutes in line for a bus ticket is precious resources wasted. On weekdays, travel time to Makati from Quezon City via EDSA is ONE hour. No wonder MMDA Chairman Bayani Fernando ruled out speed limit along EDSA. It’s just impossible to drive fast!

In Manila, online transactions are starting to increase: purchase of goods, payment of bills, etc. But there are serious challenges. Recently, I wanted to buy a complete set of original “Sex and the City” DVDs on eBay Philippines.

The seller is based in Novaliches, quite far from where I live. Through email, she suggested that the best way is for us to meet. I was constrained to meet her in a mall. I requested that she sends the DVDs through post (she even cited numerous tales about parcels being lost in the mail). She disagreed. She was afraid that I might not receive the package and consequently, giver her a negative feedback. No transaction transpired.

When I was in London, I sold 3 handwoven shawls from Vigan on eBay. A silvery white shawl sold for 20 pounds. That’s 20 times the original price (each shawl cost 100 pesos). Packages arrived on schedule. The buyers were all happy. I was elated.

The ‘flattened’ world is opening endless opportunities for innovative approaches. It’s a ‘plug-and-play’ world. Is the Philippines ready to plug? Will we ever become a First World country?

Reading about the economic crisis in the US that triggered a global backlash, I cannot deny that one of the facilitating factors is the interconnectedness of economies. There is no escaping from the ties or cables that bind us together.