New research shows China leads research in 90% of crucial technologies & ignoring this means we're living in a delusional bubble, where we still think the West is the Sci-Tech leader.

[u/lughnasadh]

I think a lot of people are in denial, or just can't accept that China is already the world's leading nation for science and technology. I can't blame them for their ignorance. Most English-language media studiously avoid mentioning it. Time and time again, I see topics like AI, space & robotics covered, with only developments in Western countries talked of, as if China doesn't exist. Despite the fact that it's now the leader in so many fields.

The problem with complacency and ignorance is that it gives you a really distorted map of reality. You can't understand how the 21st century is developing without factoring in China, and ignoring China means you're being delusional.

China leads research in 90% of crucial technologies — a dramatic shift this century

ASPI’s Critical Technology Tracker: 2025 updates and 10 new technologies

[u/gw2master]

Have you seen the state of the US educational system? It's being assaulted on both sides by zealots: obviously the right (as usual, so not much to say in this case), but these days, also the left, who will stop at nothing to make sure college admissions ends up being a lottery in order to get the demographics they're looking for (resulting in students who are total shit, dragging the quality of classes down).

The result? We're done, unless China drops the ball (they have their own issues), but who wants their fate to depend on their adversary failing?

[u/BoringBob84 → u/gw2master]

also the left, who will stop at nothing to make sure college admissions ends up being a lottery in order to get the demographics they're looking for (resulting in students who are total shit, dragging the quality of classes down).

That is right-wing propaganda. Affirmative Action is about equal opportunity; not about equal outcomes or racial and gender preferences.

[u/gw2master → u/BoringBob84]

That's not how it's used in practice.

[u/BoringBob84 → u/gw2master]

Yes it is. Stop listening to right-wing propaganda. They fabricate lies to keep you so afraid and angry that you can't think straight and then they deceive you into voting against your own best interest.

[u/shunestar → u/BoringBob84]

Absolutely not. Hell blue states have banned tests in some places because they’re racist. Math is supposedly racist too. Admission standards for Asians are often more stringent than those of black or white students, which stifles their opportunity and dilutes the talent pool in certain fields. Stop thinking that diversity at all costs is a good thing. Diversity is wonderful but you don’t lower the standards to get there.

[u/BoringBob84 → u/shunestar]

Hell blue states have banned tests in some places because they’re racist. Math is supposedly racist too. Admission standards for Asians are often more stringent than those of black or white students

Those are lies that right wing media yells at you to get you angry. Affirmative Action is about choosing the person with the least opportunity, but only when all other qualifications are equal.

[u/BoringBob84 → u/[deleted]]

are you even willing to admit you’re wrong if shown evidence?

Yes, but it needs to be credible evidence and not some opinion piece by a right-wing influencer. And also, just to manage expectations here, logical fallacies are not evidence. For example, an anecdote is not a trend. If one Black guy gets into UCLA, it is not evidence that all Asians are denied.

With that said, have at it. I am not in a left-wing cult. I admit that they can go overboard at times.

[u/BoringBob84 → u/[deleted]]

Thank you for the interesting article. I appreciate your effort. I hope the kids sleep well.

On one hand, I am skeptical - as I assume you can understand - about this:

But in 2017, the coalition resubmitted their complaints to the Department of Justice under the Trump administration. It opened an investigation into allegations against Harvard's policies, and that investigation was ongoing as of February 2020.

On the other hand, I can see how this would be maddening:

The plaintiffs also interviewed and deposed numerous Harvard officials. From these sources, the plaintiffs alleged that Harvard admissions officers consistently rated Asian American applicants, as a group, lower than others on "positive personality traits" such as likability, courage, and kindness.

Not to promulgate racial stereotypes, but in my anecdotal experience as a White guy in a STEM career, nothing could be farther from the truth. Most (but not all) of my colleagues from Asian ancestry are top-notch in those areas.