Thanks (and actually thanks to all who emailed privately both agreeing and disagreeing with me). The fact that we can have this debate openly is one of the great things about this country. I do not diagree with any of the things that Julian says here in this email, and though it may seem like the opinions are counter to each other - in reality the true outcome is not (in disagreement). So lest we get sidetracked by opinion and debate - let's hit the real issues and responses (note I preface everything with "My response" - I want to note that I am giving my opinion and that it is OK to disagree with me);
1. The world has flattened alllowing other countries to directly compete against the US in key technical areas where they have not been competitive in the past.
My response: Nothing spurs performance like competition, and all this innovation improves technology, in turn improving the ability for others to join in the competition. Even if the US does not develop many of these innovations we will benefit from them. We can and will be competitive in this environment - but we will probably not be the center of all the new developments in the future.
2. The global standard of living will increase.
My response: Julian is correct in stating that there is no reason the US standard of living must decrease for the global standard of living to increase. This is a choice we as a nation will actually make (and are making). Basic infrastructure (roads, plumbing, schools, hospitals, etc..) are what really make the SOL in the US high. (if you don't believe me just visit a 3rd world country, you will appreciate indoor plumbing and sanitary sewer systems after that). We can choose to invest in improvement of these items (or not) and they will have an effect on SOL. As far as the global SOL increasing - we can see countries building this infrastructure before our eye. BUT - the material required to create this infrastructure is finite (at any point in time - no need to go into the economics of this, I do understand it) , so when China purchases more of the worldwide concrete supply, we do see higher prices in the US.
3. The US has been a good world leader.
My response: I agree with this. Despite our mistakes and ills caused by the US, as far as world leadership goes I would have to give it good grades especially compared to the other options. This is probably because we have a very diverse and free population. And we will continue to be a world leader, I simply think that we will be more in a position of sharing the role with other countries. There are other opinions about this I could state (I am bothered that we could concentrate on injustive in Iraq - but completely ignore places like Zimbabwe and Sudan - but I also understand why).
4. We can prepare our next generation for the problems they will face.
My response: Between global warming, flattened world economy, and all the other issues we will leave the next generations plenty of challenges. And I think they will be up to those challenges (we better hope so). By teaching the next generation to think critically, to view problems as opportunities for solutions, to think independently and creatively, to work hard and use their minds, to keep an open mind, and many other things - we are leading them in a good direction. I am very hopeful for the future.
Lastly: We must avoid what many have come to phrase as "engineering arrogance". Engineers do play a key role in what will transpire with our economy - but so do people of other disciplines. It is this arrogance that has made it difficult to recruit students into STEM disciplines as students view them as the hard path. We must work to understand the benefit and the role of all the disciplines to our students and to ourselves.
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