The Power of Imagination

Tom Friedman talks about the power of imagination and its importance to America:

President Obama’s visit to China this week inevitably invites comparisons
between the world’s two leading powers. You know what they say: Britain owned
the 19th century, America owned the 20th century, and, it’s all but certain that
China will own the 21st century. Maybe, but I’m not ready to cede the 21st
century to China just yet.

Why not? It has to do with the fact that we
are moving into a hyperintegrated world in which all aspects of production — raw
materials, design, manufacturing, distribution, fulfillment, financing and
branding — have become commodities that can be accessed from anywhere by anyone.
But there are still two really important things that can’t be commoditized.
Fortunately, America still has one of them: imagination.

What your
citizens imagine now matters more than ever because they can act on their own
imaginations farther, faster, deeper and cheaper than ever before — as
individuals. In such a world, societies that can nurture people with the ability
to imagine and spin off new ideas will thrive. The Apple iPod may be made in
China, but it was dreamed up in America, and that’s where most of the profits
go. America — with its open, free, no-limits, immigrant-friendly society — is
still the world’s greatest dream machine.