Thomas Friedman wrote a best-selling book about our connected world in 2004, called The World Is Flat. But that was mostly before the dawn of Facebook.

In the years since his book came out, Friedman says the world has literally gone from connected to “hyperconnected”. He calls this phenomenon the “Great Inflection.”

In a brilliant NY Times column, called It’s P.Q. and C.Q. as Much as I.Q, he argues that anyone who ignores the consequences of this “Great Inflection” is more likely to end up in the unemployment line than those savvy enough to adapt.

So, what to do?

According to Friedman, you need to develop skills that complement technology, instead of “ones that can be easily replaced by it.” This is where the Passion Quotient (PQ) come in.

Friedman says that passion and curiosity are key components for education in a world where information is readily available. Global markets reward those who have learned how to learn, and are self-motivated to learn.

The winners won’t just be those with a higher Intelligent Quotient (IQ) anymore. It will be people who can leverage all the new digital tools to not just find a job, but to invent one or reinvent one, and to not just learn but to relearn for a lifetime.

Give me the kid with a passion to learn and a curiosity to discover and I will take him or her over the less passionate kid with a huge IQ any day of the week.

Friedman’s full column can be read here.

[Source: NY Times]