It's a paradox on many levels. Some people get degrees and climb the ladder with almost no experience (which doesn't make sense, I know, but I've seen it happen); others works their hynies to the pelvis and get nowhere (with or without degrees); while others rule through intimidation (which is an option, but it also makes a person very unpopular). Somehow work gets done by experiences and inexperienced people. It's near miraculous.

Another paradox: by the very process of outsourcing and globalizing the market place, the US (which has been the world leader in "going global") threatens to undermine its own global dominance in many fields and on many levels. No one seems to see it - all eyes are on the bottom line. But maybe that's the goal of globalization - to make the entire globe a source of cheap labor? From a short-term business standpoint it makes sense (again, while focusing on the bottom line while ignoring the consequences of brute capitalism). The waning personal interest in the sciences in my country is very sad. But again, as long as the dollars roll in no one seems to care.