The Test of Our Times - Tom Ridge (2009)

This is somewhat different from the typical books that I summarize on this blog. It is a book that describes leadership under the most challenging and difficult conditions. Tom Ridge, the former Governor of Pennsylvania and the first Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, describes the challenges faced in forming a new cabinet-level department charged with keeping America safe after the 9/11 terrorist attack and in the midst of the Anthrax attacks. Senator Joseph Lieberman described the job as asking Noah to build the Ark after the rain had already begun to fall.

Ridge describes how the new department had few resources at the beginning, but had to mobilize immediately since America faced imminent threats. He describes how dedicated people worked tirelessly while having to scrounge for basic supplies. They developed effective strategies and organizational structures despite logistical, political and organizational hurdles.

Ridge describes the difficulties encountered when trying to work with Congress and other members of the administration. These included turf protection, a reluctance to communicate and a predisposition in Washington to do things the way they have always been done.

Based upon his experience, Ridge identified several areas that he believes are essential to keeping America safe and prosperous. These included the ability for organizations at all levels to communicate and collaborate openly with one another and with the public. The need for America to foster good relations globally and to develop a better understanding of other cultures. The need for America to develop an immigration policy that removes onerous restrictions on visas and foreign workers, while maintaining secure borders. The need for America to reassert itself as the leader in innovation. The need for America to secure its assets in cyberspace.

As most educators will recognize, most of Ridge's identified needs fall within the realm of 21st Century Skills. The most effective strategy that Ridge employed in his quest to keep America secure was to openly communicate and collaborate with others, not only in the US, but abroad as well. In addition to skills of communication and collaboration, this required skills of diplomacy. Ridge noted that security efforts were often frustrated by inadequate technology. Effective instruments to identify Anthrax and other biological weapons were too slow.

Unlike Rubin (see post from September 4, 2009), Ridge does not believe that the age of globalization is ending. He believes that America's interests are inextricably mixed with those of other nations. He believes that this is a good thing and that the US can benefit greatly by building good relations with all nations, not just our traditional allies.

Ridge ends his book stating, "Americans do not live in fear. We live in freedom. Our ability to maintain our freedom in the face of these new threats is the test of our times."

What must we, as educators, do to prepare our students to pass the test of our times?

Why Your World is About to Get a Whole Lot Smaller (Jeff Rubin - 2009)

Jeff Rubin served as the Chief Economist for CIBC World Markets for almost 20 years. He was the first to accurately predict the rise in oil prices in 2000 and is recognized as an expert in the field of energy.

In his book, Rubin contends that the depletion of oil reserves coupled with increasing demand will soon lead to triple digit oil prices and seven dollar prices for gasoline at the pump. The author provides much data to support his claim.


Rubin predicts that when the current recession ends, the cost of a barrel of oil will once again reach triple digits. This will be reflected at the gas pump in the US by $7 per gallon prices for gasoline. The result of this, according to Rubin, will be an end of globalization because people will be unable to afford travel for business or pleasure. The cost of shipping goods around the world will be too great, so manufacturing will return to where the products are sold. Just in time inventory will also be too expensive, so warehouses full of stock will once again become the norm. Global branding will diminish and products will become customized to local needs and preferences. Technological innovation will slow because there will be a decrease in specialization. Urban sprawl will contract as people move from the suburbs to the city. Public transportation will become the predominant means of transportation.

Rubin observes that, "We are liberal and tolerant because we are prosperous...As our economies grow, so does our sense of responsibility for others...As our economic well-being deteriorates, will we continue to remain committed to those principles of freedom and tolerance?"

What do you think? Is this our future? If so, what do schools need to do to prepare our students? Are we making a mistake by stressing skills needed for a global economy?

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