In 20-25 years they will figure out the gene that causes aging and stop it from functioning. No disease, no aging. John
not so simple... studies on worms have demonstrated its perfectly possible to increase their avg lifespan dramatically and in such a way that they live healthily until the time of death... but there's a limit, seems its tied to degeneration of chromosomic segments over time... still expecting the human machine to check out after about 130 years last time i looked... u got access to new research?
i stopped living like i worm when i divorced my wife... can yuo imagine being married to the same woman for 100 years... thats gotta change.
That's what is happening: distributing toward Brazil, India, and China. Regional disparities are broader than national borders. It's only going to continue, since we don't produce anything here. The U.S. will probably do relatively fine, but wealth will once again be polarized and class tensions will return to what they were half a century ago. I think the only thing that might push discontent to its extreme is if the U.S. decides to have another foray in the Middle East to ensure China doesn't have influence over oil, or a terrorist attack once again panics people into voting for lovely politicians like Bush and his cabinet, who have no qualms about consolidating power. Depends on how well the neo-conservatives gain control of the Republican party and program their voting base to vote according to their hatred.
The reason foreigners hate americans is exactly because of this attitude. Do you think you are entitled to your middle class jobs because you're a good 'ol 'merican? Go ahead and get in the back of the soup line and scream some more about how unfair it is that you aren't overpaid anymore. The reality is that globalization is doing A GOOD THING by distributing the wealth of the American middle class. Americans don't deserve it any more than anybody else who can work. If you want money, start using your money to buy more money instead of lattes and auto leasing. Middle class revolt? HILARIOUS!
One the other side American people are certainly entitled to fight in order to keep their middle class. I don't see why anyone would just lay down and let a stranger steal their livelihood. For example, if Americans didn't spend their money on imported crap, India & China would still be in the stone age. He who has the gold makes the rule, and the American consumer has the gold. It just doesn't know it yet.
Yeah, americans are as entitled to fight by putting up artificial barriers to entry as the south was when they were fighting for segregation, and before that, slavery, by putting up artificial barriers to entry. This kind of crap looks pretty ignorant to me.
before the food fight starts, lots of countries try and protect industries... but the bottom line is supply/demand & price equilibrium. technology changes have allowed indian engineers to do work remotely, and by lowering labor costs, corporations become more competitive. consumer demand will likely shift to india/china vs. USA, which has a huge debt overhang to work off. right now, US benefits from reserve currency status - iports are cheap and we have high living standard. the key is to change & evolve and try to specialize in an area with high barrier to entry.
Good points but, Don't we produce and export, in huge quantities, the two highest dollar volume commodities in the world? War and Debt ? As long as there are either willing buyers, or forced buyers, the the status quo remains, economy is in no danger. Right?
R&D and smart capital are probably the only things the U.S. does well, in my opinion. Best universities in the world as far as the sciences go. I'd say provide more incentives for the brightest immigrants to come here and apply their talent.