Rediscovering America

In the last chapter of the book, “Rediscovering America”, the authors make a really interesting comparison between America and IBM. They explain how IBM, a company that made huge advancements in technology, was eventually surpassed by other companies with the development of the personal computer. While IBM created this product, other companies took the concept to a new level. The authors cite a quote from IBM chairman and CEO, Samuel Palmisano. He says, “You spend more time arguing amongst yourselves over a shrinking pie than looking to the future”. Rather than looking at where technology could go, and how IBM could take it there, the company focused more on issues within the company.

America today is facing something similar to what IBM’s chairman described. Political parties in America today are fixated on the flaws of the opposing party. Chapter twelve, “Whatever It Is, I’m Against It” shows how polarized these parties have become. With this in mind, it is worthwhile to think of IBM and how too much emphasis on internal conflict forced them to temporarily lose ground in their industry. The last line on page 353 offers an important piece of advice, “When you start thinking of other departments and colleagues in your own company as the opposition—instead of focusing on the other companies against which you must compete—you have lost touch with the world in which you are living”. I think the same can be said for the current political climate in America.