Because of the various proposed legislation of late and the concept of religious resurgance in the Western World, I believe that there is a major academic drain heading away from countries with a traditionally religious culture, such as the West, and towards the more agnostic nations such as China, Japan, and much of the Pacific Rim.
Evidence to back this is everywhere. A major example is our (US) elected leader's tremendous support for a ban on all human cloning, whether the clone is brought to term or is simply an arrangment of human sex cells. Despite the widespread opposition to this (a slim majority in recent polls), there is still a significant portion of the United States populace that supports the religious right and legislation influenced by the group.
A second example of this which clearly emphasizes the shift to agnostic states is China's recent plans to build a base on the moon by 2010. They plan to do this with technology tried and true, but are not reluctant to risk lives in experimental technologies in space. Of course, the United States reached the moon almost half a century ago, but industry leaders and politicians focused on short term goals have all but shut down the American Space Program. NASA no longer makes spacecraft, they make paper.
Other examples of this drain to agnostic non-Western nations can be found in a range of fields from fusion physics to biotechnology. It is clear to me that if current trends continue, the West will soon be replaced by Japan and China as the world's leaders in technology.
This is of course extremely disappointing for me, and I can see no way of improving the situation without a major revolution. History tells us that waiting reforms more often than not results in horrific failure. As cliche as it sounds, we must act. If this influences anybody in any way with a background in political science or sociology, please remember what I have said. Workers may have controlled the means of production a century ago, but things are different now. The populations of the West are largly literate and scientifically inclined. I think a revolution is possible.
If you have any questions or comments, please post away.
Evidence to back this is everywhere. A major example is our (US) elected leader's tremendous support for a ban on all human cloning, whether the clone is brought to term or is simply an arrangment of human sex cells. Despite the widespread opposition to this (a slim majority in recent polls), there is still a significant portion of the United States populace that supports the religious right and legislation influenced by the group.
A second example of this which clearly emphasizes the shift to agnostic states is China's recent plans to build a base on the moon by 2010. They plan to do this with technology tried and true, but are not reluctant to risk lives in experimental technologies in space. Of course, the United States reached the moon almost half a century ago, but industry leaders and politicians focused on short term goals have all but shut down the American Space Program. NASA no longer makes spacecraft, they make paper.
Other examples of this drain to agnostic non-Western nations can be found in a range of fields from fusion physics to biotechnology. It is clear to me that if current trends continue, the West will soon be replaced by Japan and China as the world's leaders in technology.
This is of course extremely disappointing for me, and I can see no way of improving the situation without a major revolution. History tells us that waiting reforms more often than not results in horrific failure. As cliche as it sounds, we must act. If this influences anybody in any way with a background in political science or sociology, please remember what I have said. Workers may have controlled the means of production a century ago, but things are different now. The populations of the West are largly literate and scientifically inclined. I think a revolution is possible.
If you have any questions or comments, please post away.
