Where and what kinds of problems will that create for the U.S. in the future?
Technological innovation, coming out of basic research and invention, has been the driver, the engine, of our economy and has been the basis of our having the highest standard of living in the world. So the stakes are clear. If we want to maintain our standard of living, preserve and enhance our security, and remain the world’s strongest economy, those are the stakes we’re talking about. What we’re seeing is erosion because fewer of our own young people are interested in science and math. Part of it is that it hasn’t been viewed as being very glamorous. But in addition, in terms of early education and performance in science and math, we haven’t done so well in recent times. So these things are all going to exacerbate a growing trend — a quiet crisis that could lead to a perfect storm if all of these factors come together, which they seem to be. It’s really more of a projection. You know it’s funny, I was reading an article recently about oil and about whether we’re reaching the end of
