Are We Losing Our Edge? by Michael D. Lemonick

The writer is specialized in science and medical journalism, and with his template essay, “Are We Losing Our Edge?,” he wants Americans to be aware that they about in edge of losing the superior place in world for modern technology and science.
For many years, Lemonick said, America was the magnet for sciences all over the world because American government gave them time and money for their researches. He awarded them with the highest salary in the world that they ever imagined. But, in contrast, nowadays America is losing scientists who graduated in the U.S. Even American citizens went out of the country and started researching for other countries. On the other hand, Lemonick reports that 41 percent of the world Ph.D.s still in the country.
After the media published material in newspapers some people tried to blame George W. Bush after 9/11his political reaction for cutting research products. Yet, the author delivered the truth about the shrinking technology budget in three main points: Federal Governments cut, Corporations increasing pressure in market, and quality of education. Nevertheless, the author of “Are We Losing Our Edge” is seeing the bright future for the Unite States after the 9/11 storm time. He advised political bipartisan government society to take action for spending money on scientific research, because U.S. competitors are not sleeping. The previous third world countries like China and India are chasing the U.S. in technology. If we look back in history, Lemonick suggested, we can find why the United States is the greatest nation today. The factors are: Hitler drove scientists out of Europe and Soviet Union threat after WWII. Most importantly wrote Lemonick, that American have to focus on new day economic war. In fact, Robert Brigeneau, a physicist and chancellor of the University in California said about this war, which it hasn’t been understood (p473). In this competition for developing technology, the author wrote, even the slow growing economic past of communist China has learned from U.S. experience in luring scientists by giving money for researching a new technology, and prospective, famous, and rich life for them. The author’s reason for writing this essay, in my opinion, is to wake up public attention on government neglecting education system, spending more money for research labs and scientist salary, and government restriction for short term investment. It is not too late, but losing technology competition is more like to have a new born Edison in China.