Comments on: Silicon Valley and the competitiveness of America http://baglady.dreamhosters.com/2009/01/26/silicon-valley-and-the-competitiveness-of-america/ Attempts at a Sustainable Lifestyle... Sat, 21 Nov 2009 16:47:07 -0800 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: China and West Africa beckon talented minds home | Worldfocus http://baglady.dreamhosters.com/2009/01/26/silicon-valley-and-the-competitiveness-of-america/comment-page-1/#comment-2944 China and West Africa beckon talented minds home | Worldfocus Wed, 04 Feb 2009 02:10:32 +0000 http://baglady.dreamhosters.com/2009/01/26/silicon-valley-and-the-competitiveness-of-america/#comment-2944 [...] “Baglady” blog writes from California: My experience in [Silicon] Valley is that many people who work [...] [...] “Baglady” blog writes from California: My experience in [Silicon] Valley is that many people who work [...]

]]> By: Ian Ian Ian http://baglady.dreamhosters.com/2009/01/26/silicon-valley-and-the-competitiveness-of-america/comment-page-1/#comment-2939 Ian Ian Ian Tue, 03 Feb 2009 02:39:37 +0000 http://baglady.dreamhosters.com/2009/01/26/silicon-valley-and-the-competitiveness-of-america/#comment-2939 As an American, I passionately agree that this country has taken a severe turn for the worst with regard to its foreign labor policies. We are shooting ourselves in the foot by making it so difficult for others who are willing and able to work here. And I say this with regard to both skilled and unskilled labor. Unfortunately and even worse, this type of protectionism seems to becoming more popular. Also, in terms of what you say about engineers not being cool in American society, I agree. In some ways that's unfortunate, but in most ways it is not: scientists and engineers are annoying. They burp and fart in your face. They smell bad. They are unable to empathize with other human beings. They forget to clean one or more parts of their body. Any country where engineers are considered cool has something wrong with it, in my not so humble opinion. Note that I am an (unemployed) engineer, and I do my best not to act like one. I would have to say that I am pretty goddamn successful and that's why I get laid way more than most other people I know who are able to take the derivative of 2x. As an American, I passionately agree that this country has taken a severe turn for the worst with regard to its foreign labor policies. We are shooting ourselves in the foot by making it so difficult for others who are willing and able to work here. And I say this with regard to both skilled and unskilled labor. Unfortunately and even worse, this type of protectionism seems to becoming more popular.

Also, in terms of what you say about engineers not being cool in American society, I agree. In some ways that’s unfortunate, but in most ways it is not: scientists and engineers are annoying. They burp and fart in your face. They smell bad. They are unable to empathize with other human beings. They forget to clean one or more parts of their body. Any country where engineers are considered cool has something wrong with it, in my not so humble opinion.

Note that I am an (unemployed) engineer, and I do my best not to act like one. I would have to say that I am pretty goddamn successful and that’s why I get laid way more than most other people I know who are able to take the derivative of 2x.

]]> By: Lenore http://baglady.dreamhosters.com/2009/01/26/silicon-valley-and-the-competitiveness-of-america/comment-page-1/#comment-2913 Lenore Tue, 27 Jan 2009 17:54:47 +0000 http://baglady.dreamhosters.com/2009/01/26/silicon-valley-and-the-competitiveness-of-america/#comment-2913 What a great article and so on the mark. We finally have an administration in DC that values education and intelligence. The Bush administration did not - he was unable to communicate on any level so why would anyone aspire to learn when he was the example to the world. Obama speaks with eloquence and values education and languages. As an example to the nation, we couldn't have picked a better man on so many levels. California once was one of the two most highly rated education systems in the US and then came Ronald Regan as Governor and the State hasn't been the same since. Add in the stupid system this state has with initiatives (Prop. 13 is the best example of that one), the largest constitution in the world, and a government that can't govern and you can see why we are in the mess we are. When schools can't get funds to operate and have to make draconian cuts who ends up being hurt the most? The students. You are so right, we do not value education in the US, with some exceptions in the East and Mid-west where they are willing to tax themselves for good schools, California, the supposed leader of tech, is at the bottom for education support. A sad commentary about our values. Don't get me started on the immigration stuff, I could talk about that forever, and I am American born. What a great article and so on the mark. We finally have an administration in DC that values education and intelligence. The Bush administration did not – he was unable to communicate on any level so why would anyone aspire to learn when he was the example to the world. Obama speaks with eloquence and values education and languages. As an example to the nation, we couldn’t have picked a better man on so many levels.

California once was one of the two most highly rated education systems in the US and then came Ronald Regan as Governor and the State hasn’t been the same since. Add in the stupid system this state has with initiatives (Prop. 13 is the best example of that one), the largest constitution in the world, and a government that can’t govern and you can see why we are in the mess we are. When schools can’t get funds to operate and have to make draconian cuts who ends up being hurt the most? The students.

You are so right, we do not value education in the US, with some exceptions in the East and Mid-west where they are willing to tax themselves for good schools, California, the supposed leader of tech, is at the bottom for education support. A sad commentary about our values.

Don’t get me started on the immigration stuff, I could talk about that forever, and I am American born.

]]> By: Sweepstakes Girl http://baglady.dreamhosters.com/2009/01/26/silicon-valley-and-the-competitiveness-of-america/comment-page-1/#comment-2911 Sweepstakes Girl Tue, 27 Jan 2009 06:21:41 +0000 http://baglady.dreamhosters.com/2009/01/26/silicon-valley-and-the-competitiveness-of-america/#comment-2911 I live in SV and I think this is blown out of proportion! :) Let us hope! By the way, Hello! Great blog, I drop on it often! I started a Ring for dedicated Entrecard bloggers who are dedicated bloggers. Consider joining? :) <a href="http://www.ringsurf.com/ring/nr2856/" rel="nofollow">http://www.ringsurf.com/ring/nr2856/</a> I live in SV and I think this is blown out of proportion! :) Let us hope! By the way, Hello! Great blog, I drop on it often! I started a Ring for dedicated Entrecard bloggers who are dedicated bloggers. Consider joining? :) http://www.ringsurf.com/ring/nr2856/

]]> By: Linda http://baglady.dreamhosters.com/2009/01/26/silicon-valley-and-the-competitiveness-of-america/comment-page-1/#comment-2909 Linda Tue, 27 Jan 2009 02:13:19 +0000 http://baglady.dreamhosters.com/2009/01/26/silicon-valley-and-the-competitiveness-of-america/#comment-2909 Great article along with why money will help. We need the talent no matter where it comes from. Yes! It is a start and it has been an issue for a long time. However, professors, educators, or deans have not found a way to get their hands in the cookie jars. When they do, things will definitely turn around. Hang in there and Happy New Year to you! Great article along with why money will help. We need the talent no matter where it comes from. Yes! It is a start and it has been an issue for a long time. However, professors, educators, or deans have not found a way to get their hands in the cookie jars.

When they do, things will definitely turn around.

Hang in there and Happy New Year to you!

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