Debate over the Pros and Cons of Global Outsourcing - "The New Face of the Silicon Age"

In the past 20 years outsourcing has become increasingly important to the American economy. Without outsourcing the price of all goods would increase greatly. However, outsourcing has more than just positives. The use of outsourcing has not only removed American jobs but has also caused a wide range of problems in countries which are gaining jobs that used to be handled by Americans. In “The New Face of the Silicon Age” Daniel Pink compares the pros and cons of outsourcing.

Pink begins with a striking opening which shows one problem with outsourcing. He proposes a situation where a disgruntled American makes websites and fights to show that people like him deserve jobs and that outsourcing is a terrible thing. However, his tone in this section seems to show that he feels like the situation is almost comical and that the hypothetical American is in the wrong. He goes on to state that the person who this American despises so much is a nice young Indian woman who is simply trying to get ahead in life.

Pink continues showing that Indian people are not aware of the American notion that they are stealing our jobs. People getting new jobs in India are simply happy to be employed and to be improving their lives. The problem there is that many Indian traditions that have been in place for years are now being contested. Young Indians are entering relationships with each other; often against the will of their parents. In the past arranged marriages were the social norm but many things are changing. This is seen as a good thing by young people but is seen as a very bad thing by older Indians.

In the end global efficiency is improving greatly and if the negatives of outsourcing can be fixed it will certainly be a good thing. Pink shows this in his essay but does not take a firm stance on the situation. It can be thought that he did this purposefully in order to leave the decision up to the reader. This is important because it is a highly debated topic and the American public needs to be able to voice their opinions on it. In the end outsourcing is a very good concept but needs work to improve on the negatives that come along with it.