Science And The Unscientific

Imagine, if you will, a world where scientific achievement was considered the pinnacle of personal success.

I think you'd have to do a lot of imagining, because such a world is nowhere near reality. At best, the egghead is considered a nerd or a geek in society today; at worse, a social outcast.

And yet science is the lifesblood of invention and progress in the physical realm. Feelings took a distant third to perspiration and inspiration to Edison, and doubtlessly, they take a distant fourth to the knowledge that allowed Edison reify his inspiration to begin with.

I read today that America is lagging behind in the production of graduates with advanced degrees in the sciences. And the question occurs to me: Have we become complacent about our leadership in the sciences? It's a valid question, and not one whose answers are entirely comforting.