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06-12-2008, 08:49 AM
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If we are to retain our lead in R&D, we should intensify our public and private investments in science centers. We should consider increasing the tax advantage to companies and individuals that invest in R&D. Quote: U.S. Still Leads the World in Science and Technology; Nation Benefits From Foreign Scientists, Engineers
Complete news release: RAND | News Release | U.S. Still Leads the World in Science and Technology; Nation Benefits From Foreign Scientists, Engineers
Complete study: http://www.rand.org/pubs/monographs/2008/RAND_MG674.pdf
Despite perceptions that the nation is losing its competitive edge, the United States remains the dominant leader in science and technology worldwide, according to a RAND Corporation study issued today.
The United States accounts for 40 percent of the total world’s spending on scientific research and development, employs 70 percent of the world’s Nobel Prize winners and is home to three-quarters of the world’s top 40 universities.
An inflow of foreign students in the sciences -- as well as scientists and engineers from overseas -- has helped the United States build and maintain its worldwide lead, even as many other nations increase their spending on research and development. Continuing this flow of foreign-born talent is critical to helping the United States maintain its lead, according to the study.
“Much of the concern about the United States losing its edge as the world’s leader in science and technology appears to be unfounded,” said Titus Galama, co-author of the report and a management scientist at RAND, a nonprofit research organization. “But the United States cannot afford to be complacent. Effort is needed to make sure the nation maintains or even extends its standing.”
U.S. investments in research and development have not lagged in recent years, but instead have grown at rates similar to what has occurred elsewhere in the world -- growing even faster than what has been seen in Europe and Japan. While China is investing heavily in research and development, it does not yet account for a large share of world innovation and scientific output, which continues to be dominated by the United States, Europe and Japan, according to RAND researchers.
However, other nations are rapidly educating their populations in science and technology. For instance, the European Union and China each are graduating more university-educated scientists and engineers every year than the United States.
Policymakers often receive advice from ad hoc sources. Although their viewpoints are valuable, they should be balanced by more complete and critical assessments of U.S. science and technology, said report co-author James Hosek, a RAND senior economist. The absence of a balanced assessment can feed a public misperception that U.S. science and technology is failing when in fact it remains strong, even preeminent.
“There is a pressing need for ongoing, objective analyses of science and technology performance and the science and technology workforce. We need this information to ensure that decision makers have a rigorous understanding of the issues,” Hosek said.
Among the study’s recommendations:
Establish a permanent commitment to fund a chartered body that would periodically monitor and analyze U.S. science and technology performance and the condition of the nation’s science and engineering workforce.
Make it easier for foreigners who have graduated from U.S. universities with science and engineering degrees to stay indefinitely in the United States.
Make it easier for highly skilled labor to immigrate to the United States to ensure the benefits of expanded innovation are captured in the United States and to help the United States remain competitive in research and innovation.
Increase the United States’ capacity to learn from science centers in Europe, Japan, China, India and other countries.
Continue to improve K-12 education in general, and science and technology education in particular.
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06-12-2008, 09:15 AM
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Originally Posted by onedomino  If we are to retain our lead in R&D, we should intensify our public and private investments in science centers. We should consider increasing the tax advantage to companies and individuals that invest in R&D. | All of this is good info but let's not forget the need for freedom of information. If anything has given us an edge it's that one thing. We've proven that genius is not hereditary and the best decisions are not necessarily made by an elite ruling class. We've prospered because opportunity exists at all levels and access to information has been the key (i.e. public libraries, etc.) The great philanthropists of the past built libraries and museums, today they provide laptops to the disadvantaged. |
06-12-2008, 12:16 PM
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Rep Power: 39 | | | Or...we could make all college education free and really get some bang for our bucks. |
06-12-2008, 01:56 PM
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Rep Power: 233 | | | Companies that invest in r & d should be able to profit from it. Bottom line with the increasing interference by government into all aspects of commerce, it's become all a paper chase, rather than an investment in the business and products.
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"We are fighting today for our life, for our liberty, for our all, we cannot go on being led as we are. Somehow or other, we must get into the Government men who can match our enemies in fighting spirit, in daring, in resolution and in thirst for victory."~Leo Amery 1940, while staring at Chamberlain |
06-12-2008, 02:21 PM
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Rep Power: 10 | | | Togo is the country which puts the largest percentage of its GDP into R&D. I learned it on FIFA World Cup 2006 so it must be true. |
06-12-2008, 02:29 PM
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Originally Posted by Kathianne Companies that invest in r & d should be able to profit from it. Bottom line with the increasing interference by government into all aspects of commerce, it's become all a paper chase, rather than an investment in the business and products. | Or our government can make a deal with the pharmaceutical companies that they won't negotiate the price of prescription drugs so those companies can sell US the drugs at more than top dollar while they sell them elsewhere on the cheap.
Oh wait...
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06-12-2008, 02:36 PM
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Originally Posted by jillian Or our government can make a deal with the pharmaceutical companies that they won't negotiate the price of prescription drugs so those companies can sell US the drugs at more than top dollar while they sell them elsewhere on the cheap.
Oh wait... | I wasn't thinking as much of the pharmaceutical as communications, transportation, and even education. I think the FDA is rather good, though takes too long.
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"We are fighting today for our life, for our liberty, for our all, we cannot go on being led as we are. Somehow or other, we must get into the Government men who can match our enemies in fighting spirit, in daring, in resolution and in thirst for victory."~Leo Amery 1940, while staring at Chamberlain |
06-12-2008, 02:39 PM
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Originally Posted by Kathianne I wasn't thinking as much of the pharmaceutical as communications, transportation, and even education. I think the FDA is rather good, though takes too long. | Really? Did you know that the FDA won't allow dermatologists to prescribe a certain acne medication unless the prescribee (if female) has a pregnancy test every 30 days while on the med? That's new since the religious right took over the repub party.
__________________ "Trust none of what you hear And less of what you see" Springsteen
When the Founding Fathers protected our right to free speech, I think that meant we were supposed to use it.
69 days left http://www.backwardsbush.com/ |
06-12-2008, 04:19 PM
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Originally Posted by jillian Really? Did you know that the FDA won't allow dermatologists to prescribe a certain acne medication unless the prescribee (if female) has a pregnancy test every 30 days while on the med? That's new since the religious right took over the repub party. | What? If the drug is capable of deforming a fetus, I can understand it to a point. I think I'd just live with the acne, personally, if it has those kinds of side effects. |
06-12-2008, 05:07 PM
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An inflow of foreign students in the sciences -- as well as scientists and engineers from overseas -- has helped the United States build and maintain its worldwide lead, even as many other nations increase their spending on research and development. Continuing this flow of foreign-born talent is critical to helping the United States maintain its lead, according to the study.
| Exactamundo.
The US should make it easier for qualified people to immigrate here. Other countries such as Canada and the UK have eased their immigration requirements so talented people can come from elsewhere. We should do so too.
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06-12-2008, 05:30 PM
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Originally Posted by Toro Exactamundo.
The US should make it easier for qualified people to immigrate here. Other countries such as Canada and the UK have eased their immigration requirements so talented people can come from elsewhere. We should do so too. | Why? All those "talented people" have to do is walk in. After all, they will only take jobs American citizens don't want.
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06-12-2008, 05:35 PM
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Originally Posted by CSM Why? All those "talented people" have to do is walk in. After all, they will only take jobs American citizens don't want. | Something like 60% of all PhDs in the sciences in this country are awarded to foreign born students. Yet we discourage or make it difficult for them to stay.
That's great policy given that wealth creation is being driven more and more by human capital. 
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06-12-2008, 05:40 PM
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Originally Posted by Toro Something like 60% of all PhDs in the sciences in this country are awarded to foreign born students. Yet we discourage or make it difficult for them to stay.
That's great policy given that wealth creation is being driven more and more by human capital. | Again, all they have to do is stay. I also have to ask: if there is such a shortage of talented people here in the US why in the world would a foriegner come to the US to study (presumably where the "less talented" reside)?
Another little tid bit for you: wealth creation is usually instigated, propagated and sustained by human capital. Of course I understand the some think Americans are too stupid to generate any wealth. and thus we need the government to take care of that for us by bringing in the "talented people" from foreign shores.
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"Why, it appears that we appointed all of our worst generals to command the armies and we appointed all of our best generals to edit the newspapers. I mean, I found by reading a newspaper that these editor generals saw all of the defects plainly from the start but didn't tell me until it was too late. I'm willing to yield my place to these best generals and I'll do my best for the cause by editing a newspaper." -- Gen. Robert E. Lee |
06-12-2008, 05:41 PM
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Originally Posted by Toro Exactamundo.
The US should make it easier for qualified people to immigrate here. Other countries such as Canada and the UK have eased their immigration requirements so talented people can come from elsewhere. We should do so too. | Agreed. Most of those involved in Manhattan Project were immigrants.
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"We are fighting today for our life, for our liberty, for our all, we cannot go on being led as we are. Somehow or other, we must get into the Government men who can match our enemies in fighting spirit, in daring, in resolution and in thirst for victory."~Leo Amery 1940, while staring at Chamberlain |
06-12-2008, 05:43 PM
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Originally Posted by Kathianne Agreed. Most of those involved in Manhattan Project were immigrants. | I am somewhat surprised that you would think that the folks in the US are somehow less intelligent or creative than folks from elsewhere.
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"Why, it appears that we appointed all of our worst generals to command the armies and we appointed all of our best generals to edit the newspapers. I mean, I found by reading a newspaper that these editor generals saw all of the defects plainly from the start but didn't tell me until it was too late. I'm willing to yield my place to these best generals and I'll do my best for the cause by editing a newspaper." -- Gen. Robert E. Lee | | Thread Tools | | | | Display Modes |  Linear Mode | 
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