• Archimedes said “Give me a place to stand and a lever long enough—and I can move the world” • Martin Luther King, Jr. said “I have a dream…” and,  • To summarize some of Friedman’s first chapter, pgs 5 & 6, in his book Hot, Flat and Crowded:
“America has a problem and the world has a problem.  America’s problem is that it has lost its way in recent years…bad habits that we have let build up…that have weakened our societies ability and willingness to take on big challenges.
The world also has a problem.  It is getting hot, flat and crowded (i.e., global warming, explosive population growth, etc) and on the verge of being dangerously unstable.  This is particularly evident in greater demand for energy supply, increased loss of biodiversity and habitat, and accelerated climate change.  How we address these interwoven, global trends will determine a lot about the quality of life on earth in the 21st century.
Friedman is convinced that the best way for America to solve this problem is the get back in its “groove”, to take the lead in solving the world’s biggest problem. This is clearly a challenge, but also an opportunity—to revive America at home, reconnect America abroad and retool America for the future.  Yet, it is also a test—a test of whether we are able and willing to lead (once again).  “We are either going to be losers or heroes—there’s no room anymore for anything in between” (Rob Watson).  We will either rise to the level of leadership, innovation, and collaboration that is required or everyone is going to lose—BIG”.

1. What will be the lever that allows the world to be moved? 2. Taking into account the quotes presented above, what is your “dream”, your “vision” for developing and maintaining a world which presents to future generations “a sustainable place to live”? 3. What is “the tipping point”, and specifically how will you be involved