The Friedman article that we've read, titled "New Rules" was published in 2012 in the NYTimes. It was written regarding the change of learning standards throughout the world and how, no longer can people follow the old Bill Clinton saying from 1992, that if you just "work hard and play by the rules" that one can attain a good American life through the system set up in America. This no longer is the case, as discussed by Friedman. Friedman goes to persuade his audience to believe him using a well thought out rhetoric that both appeals to the logical and factual parts of the human mind. He also brings a great amount of ethos to the table with the quotes of famous and well known people in society. An intriguing statement Friedmen brings is, "You have to work harder and smarter and develope new skills faster" in respect to the new, changing, technology-based world that we live in. He says that unemployment by those who only have a highschool degree is 8.8%, while 4 year college goers have half that as their unemployment rate. People in the world know that learning is important which is why Estonian children are now being taught how to program at the age of 7-16, knowing this skill could aid them in being ahead in the software industry (which they already are, according to Friedman who says Estonia developed Skype back in 2008.) Friedman points out that futurist Avin Toffler supports this argument as well, saying, "illiteracy will to be defined by those who cannot read and write, but by those who can not learn and relearn." The point is made also that lifelong learning is the key to getting into, and staying in, the middle class. This is very rhetorically intriguing the both the ethos and pathos. Ethos due to Alvin Toffler, and pathos because many people strive to be part of the middle class. It is the American dream, more or less, to be in the middle class.
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