Comments on: Why, in the Long Run, the United States ISN’T Absolutely Fucked?

By: Janus

Janus — Sat, 06 Oct 2007 23:51:42 +0000

Our higher education system does indeed remain awesome. Just check out all those “world university rankings” that, regardless of their specious methodologies, consistently place US institutions at the top.

Korea has “Love Story at Harvard.” Anybody have a “Love Story at Peking University?”

The Ivy League, Stanford, Chicago, Georgetown, Duke, Berkeley, MIT, CalTech…these may be among our most valuable strategic assets in the 21st century.

By: Janus

Janus — Sat, 06 Oct 2007 23:46:50 +0000

If America is dependent on immigants for continued growth, innovation, and development, then we can at least be glad that we are infinitely better at attracting immigrants than any Asian country–particularly the ones that are run by tyrants.

China will never be a destination for immigrants the way America is. It’s simply too poor, too dirty, too oppressive, and too racist.

I think America might get some modicum of optimism back after W & Co. leave the White House for the cushy lobbying jobs history books.

By: peninsular aborigine

peninsular aborigine — Sat, 06 Oct 2007 08:04:09 +0000

Besides the creative use of prisoners’ organs and the creative suppression of rights, is there any evidence that the Chinese are agents of change, i.e. that they will lead and be benchmarked by others?

PS: I would not be surprised if an effective boycott of the Beijing Olympics will occur.

By: judge judy

judge judy — Fri, 05 Oct 2007 16:14:19 +0000

Foreigners that come to America often do better than natives in many instances due to the inherent laziness of the “status quo”.

that has often been the case in american history. however, this phenomenon is even more apparent in canada these days, most notably toronto and vancouver where immigrants run the majority of new, innovative businesses.

By: R. Elgin

R. Elgin — Fri, 05 Oct 2007 06:44:59 +0000

True eunsung, the real threat is from an indifferent populace and a lack of qualitative standards. When I look at so-called American culture nowadays, I am unimpressed. Foreigners that come to America often do better than natives in many instances due to the inherent laziness of the “status quo”. It is probably the immigrants to America that revitalize America more so than any other group today.

By: Hugh

Hugh — Fri, 05 Oct 2007 06:44:44 +0000

He didn’t factor peak oil and the ‘long emergency’ in.

By: eunsung

eunsung — Fri, 05 Oct 2007 00:21:36 +0000

Disclaimer: I didn’t actually read the article, but I was at the lecture.

He says that the US higher education system will keep us on top, but he also calls the High Schools a “disaster.” Combined with the low interest of American students in the University, and the excessive numbers of foreigners in our schools, I don’t know if the schools will make enough difference.

The threat won’t be from China, however.