Creators wanted

An article from the NY Times found its way into the Toronto Star (U.S. technology lead slips away, report says). It points to some empirical proof of the headline's proposition. The snip:

The laments have been sounded for years. U.S. research and development is falling off. Other countries are growing more competitive. American schools are turning out too few scientists and engineers.

Now these clouds on the horizon may be converging into something like a perfect storm, according to a troubling report released last week by the American Electronics Association.

The report argues that the U.S. standing in technology is slipping, and the nation is in danger of losing its advantage in fields it has long dominated.

Hmmm. In the article the usual suspects are trotted out for solution: remove immigration restrictions, etc., etc. What didn't show up is: change the reward structure so that lawyers, accountants, and assorted MBAs -- who don't typically create value, just shift it around -- aren't highly-prized while the creators (let's foremost include entrepreneurs) like engineers take second place unless they are ridiculously successful. Which, often requires the "help," "assistance," and "guidance" of the better-paid lawyers, accountants, and MBAs.

Posted by Grayson at February 21, 2005 07:20 AM