We no longer compete only with ourselves

For so many years, America’s economy was so dominant on the world stage, so out front in so many key areas, that we fell into the habit of thinking we were competing largely against ourselves. If we fell behind in one area or another — whether it was math and science skills, broadband capacity or wireless infrastructure — we took the view that: ‘‘Oh well, we’ll fix that problem when we get to it. After all, we’re just competing against ourselves.”

In recent years, though, with the flattening of the global playing field, it should be apparent that we are not just competing against ourselves. The opening of China, India and Russia means that young people in these countries can increasingly plug and play — connect, collaborate and compete — more easily and cheaply than ever before. And they are. We, alas, are still coasting along as if we have all the time in the world.

By Thomas Friedman

Full Story: http://helenair.com/articles/2005/05/15/opinions/a04051505_02.txt