Re-election Predictions

I would like to start by apologizing from having a political entry in my blog. I believe that politics is intertwined with other intellectual endeavour. As scientist and engineers, we have a duty of social awareness, to see that our creations are being used for the benefit of humanity.

I was saddened by tuesday’s election results. Up until the eve of November 2nd (Central European Time), I was hoping that the Unites States would wake up from the state of collective insanity it has been suffering from for the last four years, and join the civilized world.

Dubya is arguably the worst president in US history. He is bad for world security. He is bad for the world economy. He is bad for the environment. He is bad for the U.N. From the exit polls after the US election, I think he was only elected because he is willing to let the government regulate behaviour that does not affect others, but that the religious right considers immoral (abortion and gay marriage). And because of that, the American people choose to ignore his horrible track record on foreign relations, economy, world security, and civil liberties (not to say plain ol’ stupidity). How can you guys be that stupid?

How will this affect the future of technology? Here are a few of my predictions for the next four years:

  • Off-shoring will continue, probably at an increased rate
  • American software development effort will grow in the area of data mining/profiling of citizens. The 1984-vision started by the USA PATRIOT act will continue
  • In addition to data profiling, the only other software area that will be groving is defence contracting
  • Bioinformatic research, especially that involving stem cell research, will move to Europe and India
  • Migration of value production to India and China will make the US extremely succeptible to competition from these regions. You’re outsouring your workers (and to some extent middle-management) now. What stops Indian executives from competing for the same work force and keeping the profit for themselves?

Unless you’re a fan of big-brother-type government, I expect most Americans will be increasingly disturbed with the development of their nation.

I’d like to end this entry with an excellent statement I saw on a bumper sticker in Pennsylvania this summer:

If you’re not outraged, you’re not paying attention

… and it is getting worse.

(God really should hurry up with that blessing of America that you all are so big on)