US Losing The Tech Edge AFP[ FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2005 02:10:07 AM]
WASHINGTON: The US share of worldwide high-tech exports has dropped from 31% to 18% over the past 20 years, in what could foreshadow the loss of the country’s leadership position in science and technology, a blue ribbon expert panel warned.
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It's always important to dig below the surface and reveal hidden assumptions.
The article details the opinions of a "blue ribbon panel" that the US is losing its "leadership position" in science and technology.
The first question that occurs to me is this: given the fact that many nations now possess considerable science and tech prowess why should anyone assume the US will long retain the temporary "leadership position" it enjoyed in these areas following the catastrophe of WW2?
If, for example, LG of S. Korea, Sony of Japan and a host of EU firms can perform research into and development of digital television engineering, why should anyone expect American firms -- regardless of the number of talented, domestic scientists and engineers available -- to naturally best their efforts?
If Indian scientists can perform solid research and development in bioscience why should we expect -- again, regardless of the number of talented people thrown at projects -- Wyeth Pharm or any other US organization to be "better" than their Indian colleagues?
What's troubling these Americans is that they now have to deal with a multipolar world of technical competence. The days of monopolizing expertise are over.
In a different thread someone (Jordan, I think) in response to a question from me listed Microsoft and Intel -- two well known American firms -- as examples of technical areas where Americans are the key players.
Intel is definitely a player but Microsoft provides us with a perfect example of market share masquerading as technical competence. Aside from Microsoft's effective use of the position it achieved while IBM wasn't looking there's no technical reason for its continued dominance. Others, all over the world, can write good OSes but Microsoft calls most of the shots because it got in early in an extremely aggressive way ( and maintains an unusually high level of vigilance for vectors of competition -- to absorb or destroy).
Microsoft then, gives us a perfect metaphor for the false dilemma of lost US "leadership" in science and technology. Once the monopoly is broken and a thousand flowers bloom you're revealed to be just another participant in the world game -- not the worst but not the best as your self hype would leave billions to believe.
.d.
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