[awkwarddaturtle]

> Not to sound like an anti-intellectual, but it could be a mistake to assume that innovation comes from academia

It isn't that innovation necessarily comes from academia, but that academia is a reflection of how wealthy and educated the population is. Innovation comes from the wealthy and the educated. So as china gets wealthier, they will innovate more.

> It is a general observation that east asian cultures tend to suppress risk-taking and innovation.

That's an "observation" based on racism and nonsense.

> just that overall there may be asymmetry.

Based on what evidence? It's just silly things people say - "The west is more individualistic". A society based on "white supremacy" is "individualistic"? How is basing one's ideology on "race - a genetic/communal" concept individualistic.

All these things are essentially nonsense created by people who want to sell books/etc. There is no truth.

You could write a book saying the west is collectivistic and china is individualistic by cherrypicking any data.

> So, have all the smartest people you want, doing all the research you want; but if they have no pressure to put that research to practice, nor a desire or support to take the risks associated with implementation then you might as well have nobody doing anything.

What makes you think they won't?

Greed works on the chinese as much as westerners. The things you need to "innovate" are wealth and security. Innovation is a luxury. The chinese will innovate as they get wealth and security.

The chinese are risk averse and yet they love gambling. They are risk averse and chinese have immigrated all over the world.

[erva]

> academia is a reflection of how wealthy and educated the population is

This is correct, but that doesn't mean causation. Look at any civilization and look at what came first wealth or academia. It seems to me that wealth creates academia.

> That's an "observation" based on racism and nonsense.

Saying something is "racist" does not constitute an argument. I didn't say whether it was "good" or "bad" to have a culture that promotes or suppresses risk taking...no one can. It is not "racist" to say that two things are not exactly the same.

> The things you need to "innovate" are wealth and security. Innovation is a luxury.

Dead wrong. Wealth and security create complacency. "Necessity is the mother of invention" is not just some stupid quip.

>What makes you think they won't?

I don't. My entire post was a postulation, which is why I used phrases such as "it could be", "general observation" and "there may be", etc. It appears that you are merely looking for a fight instead of having a conversation.

[awkwarddaturtle]

> It seems to me that wealth creates academia.

Yes. That's was my point. You get wealthy, then you get "civilized".

> Saying something is "racist" does not constitute an argument.

No. But saying an "observation" based on "racism" is an argument.

> I didn't say whether it was "good" or "bad" to have a culture that promotes or suppresses risk taking...no one can.

Well you did imply it...

> Dead wrong. Wealth and security create complacency.

Not dead wrong. Dead truth. It can for some people, but it also gives people FREE TIME to pursue other things. I didn't say EVERYONE would become innovative. My point is that you need wealth and security to be innovative.

>"Necessity is the mother of invention" is not just some stupid quip.

Like all quotes. It is. And without wealth and security, not much time or resources to innovate.

> I don't. My entire post was a postulation, which is why I used phrases such as "it could be", "general observation" and "there may be", etc.

You don't but that's a lot of "implying" what you think.

> It appears that you are merely looking for a fight instead of having a conversation.

I would but you seem quite defensive. I wasn't calling you racist. I said the observation was based on "racism". Lumping 1.4 billion into one "stereotype" is the definition of racism.

Also, as I noted, I debunked most of your "it could be"s.