Although it's true that we are rapidly moving to a more services based economy, your statement ignores the fact that the U.S still leads the world in just about every area of technology. The direct impetus for technological innovation and progress is, and has been, the entrepreneurial search for profits and the competitive economy. We are more focused on science and technology now than at any other time in our history. Just one example: Ninety-percent of all new drugs introduced in the world today are created in the U.S.
There aren't enough careers for all these scientists,
There have never been enough good careers for all the scientists and engineers we graduate. Our universities graduate a large amount of mediocre talent. Only the best will be sought by industry.
the best bet is to look for the number one employers-- the federal government or academia... for those who detest socialism in all it's forms, this makes for tough choices.
Nonsense. If you're talented, highly motivated and know how to create value, then private industry should be the career path of choice. Many of the millionaires being created in Silicon Valley, and other tech heavy areas, have science or engineering degrees. One year recently, Fortune Magazine reported that there were more CEO's with engineering degrees than any other educational background.
(PhD ten years, over a hundred scientific publications in molecular biology, brilliant man and EXTREMEMLY hard working) just turned forty two and has never made over $38,000 a year...
He must be working toward a specific goal where paying these kinds of dues is required. There is no reason for him to be paid so poorly otherwise. We have bench chemists who earn much more than that with just an undergrad degree.
my point being a disaffected professional class and/or middle class historically has led to ruinous forms of government.
Anyone smart enough and disciplined enough to receive a PhD in any science has only themselves to blame if they cannot find a decent job. Of course, there are many of these people who have a very difficult time functioning in the real world. For them, maybe staying in the protected world of academia or even in government is the best place to be. However, to encourage anyone, who is self motivated and possesses the smarts to earn an advanced degree in science, not to pursue such a degree just doesn't make much sense to me.
I am a free-market capitalist if there was ever one born, so I agree with much of what you said, just stating my opinions... As a nation, our search for profit is leaning out the technology base here at home and creating growth in the service industries. Yeah we lead the world still, but a lot of the work is not done here. You mention Silicon Valley, and maybe you're right, but that is the exception, not the norm. Imy area it is a different story, as it is in much of the East and South East... for those with aging parents, who are part of a community of faith, or whose careers are coordinated with their spouse, or who own lots of scary guns, Kalifornia may not be an option... and yeah, I know, that's their decision and I agree. Again, I agree that anyone with an advanced degree who can't find a good job has only themselves to blame; but I also think that considering the expense of the education, the lost wage-years of a graduate education and the dynamic nature and narrow range of employment opportunities... it isn't worth it-- not where we as a nation are now, and especially not where we are heading. Based on Hayek's work (Road to serfdom), I would suggest government employment /moderate sarcasm