[petestream]

> Which non-Western countries are competing on creativity?

They aren't, that's the point. Countries like China, Japan and South Korea are very good at pulling everyone in the same direction by following rules, having hierarchies, exchanging favors, working long hours, handing out punishments and whatnot. Far better than any western country could because we aren't at that point in time (and maybe Japan isn't now either). What they end up lacking is things like creativity. The problem is that western countries are also increasingly lacking opportunities to exercise creativity. There is few ways these days to in good faith drop out of school and crash on someones couch to do something else you rather want. Which has to some extent been the foundation of new industries.

[dsq]

Creativity isn’t something that just spontaneously appears or flourishes. It requires an appropriate environment. Most of the great achievements of the ancient Greeks happened in a fifty to hundred year span of time. Much of today’s population’s drive is dissipated into online entertainment.

[catawbasam]

Solar PV, battery technologies, and smart phone transaction systems are areas where China is playing a leading role. They are competitive in EVs and Automated Vehicles. I'm sure there are others. The US isn't even in the game any more for many consumer products.