Friedman on Education

NORMAN (5:18 p.m.)

Audience Question: Our school standing in the world has fallen. What have you seen in your travels that would allow us to rise back to first. And what was the one thing you would recommend all of us get while still in school?

Friedman: "For those of you graduating, you are totally screwed. Stay in school."

Married to a teacher.

"Education is actually the biggest foreign policy issue. And in every country, it is the biggest issue."

"You come to America, and Billy and Suzy can't read in the 8th grade, but Johnny with a ring in his nose has just created 18 new iPhone apps."

Would rather have our problem because we have creativity. Creativity is more useful than straight rigor.

We need better citizens.

"If we really wanted health care, we'd be on the ball. If we wanted a real carbon bill, we'd be on the ball."

"We can not bail our way out of this problem. We cannot stimulate our way out of this problem. We have to innovate our way out of this problem."