Did the US Take the Back Seat In Science In 2009? 502
tcd004 writes "In the PBS NewsHour's roundup of the biggest science news of the year, Neil DeGrasse Tyson dropped this doozie: '[Scientific leadership] drives the economic strength and security of nations. The fall is not from a cliff. More like a slow, downward slide — almost imperceptible from day to day. But as the years pass America will have descended from leaders to players to merely followers as we fade to insignificance, at best hitching a ride on the innovations of others.'"
Re:What's this 'we' thing ? (Score:2, Funny)
Then why are we speaking American?
Re:I expect so... (Score:0, Funny)
Considering that millions of illiterate and non-English speaking people get into the U.S. every year without valid papers, you would think that all these PhDs would be able to figure out how to do it too.
Re:I have seen the lecture you are referring too. (Score:1, Funny)
"When you have 60% of your population denying Evolution, a scientific fact, your civilization is circling the drain."
Wow. I guarantee you that the civilization that follows the Gospel of Jesus Christ will never collapse. It is only when you deny Him that you will fall.
You're also making two different arguments. Human Evolution has never been called "a scientific fact". I'm a Christian and I believe that organisms evolve. Where we disagree is that you believe you evolved from an ape. I believe I am son of God, the Eternal Father. I choose to hold humanity at a higher standard than the offspring of a dumb animal.
Re:What's this 'we' thing ? (Score:3, Funny)
Okay, we're all a little bit Intel, IBM, Arab and English. Where's the American part?
Re:Actually this has happened for a while now (Score:1, Funny)
I knew Chinese people who could play pinball well. The USA has truly been surpassed!
Re:not news (Score:5, Funny)
Re:I expect so... (Score:3, Funny)
Are they hiring? (And actually allowing immigration?)