Does America have the best technology in the world?

[Deja Q]

Bush thinks so.

[MSgt213]

1. Tech is only so good. Last time I seen a computer arresting some one...

well I never seen a computer arrest some one.

[AX10]

2. Historically we have had it, but we are losing it slowly.

The trend must be reversed ASAP.

[Deja Q]

9. Unless Bush is against America; his speech being a sham.

:shrug:

Don't blame me, anyone, for my conjecture, Bush supporting corporate offshoring is what has allowed America's status to decline. We were the best, 7 years ago - and I am aware that Bush didn't start the offshoring problem. He only made it worse, rather than reversing it.

[AX10]

10. I agree.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

3. Absolutely.

We're always several months behind Japan, but that's probably just the time zones.

[Bill McBlueState]

4. as if technology respects national borders...

So much of this "best in the world" hyperbole is based on the 15th-century idea that people in different parts of the world don't talk to each other.

[Bill McBlueState]

5. another thought...

If we have the "best technology," it's largely because of all the engineers and scientists who come here from other countries.

[Deja Q]

14. Oh, so the people born here can't do jack shit except market?

Don't be so bigoted. Well, reverse-bigotry.

[Bill McBlueState]

18. o..k.....

I didn't say what you said in your subject. And there's nothing bigoted about what I did say.

[Deja Q]

22. The inferences are fairly obvious:

it's largely because of all the engineers and scientists who come here from other countries.

You are saying non-Americans are mostly the folks who gave America its technology.

Yes, I see where I am inferring. "Largely because" and all. But it is valid for some people to think that, because the way you worded it, you (largely) think Americans born and bred here are incapable. That is bigotry all the same. Or at least anti-American, but if I said "Canadians can't ___" then I'm being bigoted against Canada.

[readmoreoften]

24. Um. It's true. You'll have to deal with that.

At NYU 80% of the chemistry Ph.D.s are Chinese. The sciences at most top universities are completely dominated by international students.

[Bill McBlueState]

26. hey there!

You're telling me! Like I'm trying to say in post #25, it's not like it's because Americans are dumb.

Undergraduates in the sciences see what kind of financial shape the grad students in their departments end up in, and they go get an MBA or transfer to engineering.

[readmoreoften]

27. Howdy Bill

Still on strike. 6 months.

Just to let you know, more Ph.D.s in the sciences are joining the union. There are so many international Ph.D. students in the sciences at NYU that they are (ostensibly) giving teaching jobs to UNDERGRADUATES who got an "A" in the course instead of using graduate labor. Can you imagine paying $46,000 a year so that a fellow undergrad can teach you organic chem?

[Bill McBlueState]

28. sounds about right...

In the sciences there is this unbelievable race to the bottom in the quality of instruction. In my department, most of the faculty are open about their view that teaching is an unfortunate consequence of working at a university instead of a research institute. I could tell you all about the seminar I took this semester and the instructor's consistent refusal to do anything remotely resembling "teaching," but it would just be a long, bitter rant. :mad:

And the worst consequence of it all is that the faculty and grad students who do care about teaching get marginalized, are denied tenure, or are drummed out of the program.

Good to hear that science students are finding reasons to get involved in the union. (I mean, it's not great that those reasons exist, but it's good you're building support... you know what I mean. :)) I've got a letter in the UMass paper today encouraging science grads here to do the same. (The headline was the paper's idea!)

Keep up the good fight, readmoreoften.

[Bill McBlueState]

25. as an American in a graduate program in the sciences,

Well over half the people I work with on a daily basis are from other countries. That doesn't mean Americans aren't capable of high-level achievement in the sciences. In fact, I think Americans have won a disproportionate number of Nobel prizes.

But for a variety of reasons, Americans with the minds to do science and math are less willing to spend the years in higher education needed to do high-level scientific research and development. It's understandable, the way the cost of education is spiraling out of control.

In our higher education system, the US provides some of the most fertile ground in the world for the best minds -- regardless of national origin -- to make great advancements. I just wish Americans could be encouraged to take better advantage of these opportunities, since we're the ones paying the bill in a lot of respects.

[LostInAnomie]

6. It's just a mindless platitude.

Just like "America has the best workers in the world." and "America has the best health care system in the world." Soothing words that mean nothing.

[Deja Q]

11. Of course we're not the best workers.

We've been hurt. Of course we've dropped our status.

[Julius Civitatus]

7. Have you guys been to Europe or Japan recently?

They make us look "quaint".

:(

[HereSince1628]

8. Is Bush talking only about military technology?

Just wondering. The US military is his universal solution.

[Deja Q]

12. Just like how the service economy was in 1980...

and manufacturing in 1950.

[magellan]

13. Overall I'd say Japan has the best technology

The Japanese are way ahead of us in so many technological areas, mostly for the common good.

But militarily, we probably win. Says a lot about our future, doesn't it?

[KyuzoGator]

15. We would if we'd commit our industries to clean fuels. nt

[Balbus]

16. I'd guess Japan

[Yollam]

21. My refrigerator here is almost as big as a US model, but...

it uses a lot less electricity and I can pick it up to move it around when empty, it's so light. Just an example. Why do US fridges of the same size weigh a freaking TON?

[porphyrian]

17. What does that even mean?

Technology is just a toolset. Tools can only be "best" in the context of who uses them and for what purpose. That guy is such a fucking tool.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

19. No. But, we produce a fine line of indebted consumers.

[Yollam]

20. Because only MILITARY technology counts with those sickos

We have the most advanced killing machines in the world, but from what I've seen, we're behind Europe and Japan in many ways.

For Gods' sake, the US still uses freaking inches! :wtf:

[Jade Fox]

23. We don't use technology smartly....

We don't use it to make our lives better. Of course, technology does make our lives easier, or at least faster, sometimes anyway. But in American, it's all about selling technology and making some people a lot of money.

They have, for instance, excellent Public Transportation in Europe, even though it doesn't make anyone rich. It's a commitment to uaing technology to make ordinary folk's lives easier.

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/06134/689720-147.stm