Re: Armstrong

Apr 01, 2004 5 Replies

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kdoney 22 years ago

You need to get out of the minuscule pinpoints (in comparison) of technology in China to the vast majority of the country. Yes, I have been there many times. I see China and India as being the leaders in technology (not science) in 20 years because of shear numbers, not due to the US lack of effort.

I prefer to get my information from the National Science Foundation.

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this, well done, report the following excerpts are taken: "In the United States, the nearly 20-year population decline in the size of the college-age cohort reversed in 1997 and is projected to increase from

17.5 million to 21.2 million by 2010, with strong growth among minority groups. "

"Since 1994, research and development (R&D) in the United States has risen sharply, from $169.2 billion to an estimated $265 billion in 2000. In real terms (adjusting for inflation), this rise reflects an increase of $71 billion in 1996 dollars, which was the greatest real increase in R&D for any six-year period in the nation's history."

"Several developing Asian economies, particularly China and Malaysia, had higher electronics production than did Ireland in 1996, the reference year for the published data. However, they scored lower on indicator components rating their labor pools and management personnel. Mexico's score showed an even greater imbalance than those of China and Malaysia."

> > I want some of what you're smoking.
> >
> You make this comment based on what?
>
> Given the previous posters statement of having "seen"
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>
>

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Dennis Brady 22 years ago

You're quoting 10 year old statistics. Maybe that's the problem. American companies are making decisions based on what happened 10 years ago.

What seems to have happened is while the Americans were busy researching, the Asians started implementing - often based on the American research data.

An idea ain't worth squat 'til it's used.

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kdoney 22 years ago

Using some 8 year old data to project decades long trends is reasonable. At any rate, the original concept, that China is more advanced, technologically, than the U.S., would not be supported by any of these data, or any current data that I have read. The NSF's report, which is based upon some 8 year old data is more meaningful than the original posters "seen it".

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Dennis Brady 22 years ago

8 yr old statistics are meaningless for predicting anything except what was happening 8 years ago. China has made as much technological progress in the past 8 years that America did in 80.

While American industry is trying to decide whether to use coal or oil, China has introducted sophisticated robotics. While America still builds highways for an ever increasing volume of gas guzzling SUV's, China is building the world's first mag-lev train. It's precisely that American, "we're superior" delusion that has allowed China to leapfrog so far ahead. As long as the foolish delusion remains, the gap will widen.

The most significant difference between China and America is the percentage level of poverty. Guess who's way ahead on that?

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kdoney 22 years ago

I still only hear pontifications. Do you have any reliable data?

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nJb 22 years ago

That's a pretty bold statement. Anything to back it up?

Let me guess, the robots run on cold fusion.

While America

Maybe that's because the average chinese worker can't afford a car?

The end is near.

I'll bite. The standard of living is much higher in China. Where's my passport?

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