"Over the past century, Americans have become accustomed to winning every global battle that mattered: two world wars, the space race, the Cold War, and the internet gold rush. Along the way Americans have enjoyed unprecedented prosperity and lived lives that were the envy of the rest of the world. Now the land of the free is slowly but unmistakably, yielding advantages earned over decades to foreigners who work harder, expect less, and, are often better educated.” (US News)
The playing field is being leveled, and America is slowly losing its technological edge. Americans have become “fat, happy, and dumb” as one anonymous CEO puts it. While Douchebag #1 & Douchebag #2 are putting pictures of themselves on the internet, buying up the entire fall collection of “ITALIA” muscle shirts, and spending the greater part of the day in front of a mirror, their foreign counterparts already on their fourth book.
Humble and talented individuals from other nations who have never had our prosperity are jumping at the new opportunities that their parents never even dreamed of. They are driven to succeed beyond belief as they are more than willing to work hard, stay up late to study, & put the time in to give themselves & their families a better life. Translation: They are hungrier than we are. And American businesses are more and more seeking to employ more talented individuals oversees.
Currently 54% of Engineering and Science PHD’s granted within the United States go to foreign born students. This was not an issue a decade back as the talent from oversees would come to American schools to get their PHD, get a tech job in the U.S. and send their hard earned money home to their families. Now, with globalization & growing job opportunities outside of America, these talented foreigners no longer need to leave their home countries and families for a better life. To make matters worse America has hunkered down on allowing foreigners into the country to attend school in this post 9-11 world.
“The U.S. used to be the mecca for the innovative technology of the future, now the rest of the world is developing that capability. It’s weakening the whole power base of the U.S.” - John Mullen, CEO of DHL.
Two countries especially, China and India, both who's population is four times that of the United States, are taking the necessary steps to becoming the technological and business leaders of the 21st century.
It is without question, that in the next half century, China and India will become the next world superpowers. Moreover, the superpower status of the US, as well as the high standard of living we have become so accustom to, may be in question. Yes America: we are losing our competitive edge, but fear not...here is what the tri-state area has to offer against the competition:
Yea, looks like we'll be just fine
