Best place to live

[Kärnfysikern]

The longer I live in sweden the more I realise this is a cocksucking piece of shit country that is heading down the drain fast. Safe to say I dont want to be stuck here for long. Especialy when they rather help ****ed upp druggies and every imigrant that sets fot here over hard working students. The prioritys of this country is all wrong and technicaly and scientificly we are losing the edge we used to have over the rest of the world. Soon it will all be gone.

So my question is what country would be a good place to move to?

Considering Im looking at a carer as a scienticst(astrophysics or particle physics)it would have to be a country that is investing alot in scientific fields. It also has to be a country that doesnt have ridicilously high taxes with most of the money beeing spent on idiotic social security and imigrations policies while education, healthcare and science is neglected. I dont mind taxes if they accutaly are spent on something worthwile.

A country with a future that isnt heading down the drain in other words and that has a resonable standard of living.

USA is the first country that pops into my mind because the place to be when it comes to space is nasa offcourse. But seems to me USA is on the same path as sweden(down the drain on other words). Still the cash for science is over there.

What other countries in the world invest heavily in science? China? Russia? UK, australia?

Im thinking about moving as soon as maby 2007 and finish my education in another country(sweden will pay for it all so it will be my final **** you, leech everything I can and then get the **** out ).

I have no future in sweden so the sooner I get out of here the better.

[Kärnfysikern]

The worst thing about sweden aswell is that there is no support for those that want to achieve anything. This is the most jelous country in the world and those that become succesfull is often looked down upon instead of admired.

[IronFreakX]

Iraq and afghanistan.........JK

germany , china

[CRUISECONTROL]

Paridise

On an Island somewhere

[GeeOweDee]

So you want to basicaly become a imigrant yourself?

[CRUISECONTROL]

So you want to basicaly become a imigrant yourself?

Who ya talkin to?

[GeeOweDee]

Who ya talkin to?

Read!!!

[CRUISECONTROL]

Read!!!

Yeah I figured it out

[MatrixGuy]

Certain areas of the UK like The Lake District (near me) , Canada & New Zealand

[Kärnfysikern]

Certain areas of the UK like The Lake District (near me) , Canada & New Zealand

tell me more about the lake district

[MatrixGuy]

tell me more about the lake district

Its a beautiful place IMO. A great place to relax! Hilly, calm, amazing landscapes.. just generally nice... and just up the road from me!

Heres a few pictures for you Johan.

[Kärnfysikern]

Its a beautiful place IMO. A great place to relax! Hilly, calm, amazing landscapes.. just generally nice... and just up the road from me!

Heres a few pictures for you Johan.

Those could have been pics of northern sweden. Very beautifull indeed!!

[sigmatro11]

I say Germany, Australia, or Japan (probally the best idea since new inventions are what keep their country so far ahead of the rest of us!

[Kärnfysikern]

I say Germany, Australia, or Japan (probally the best idea since new inventions are what keep their country so far ahead of the rest of us!

japan would be awsome. But arent they pretty rasistic over there? I hear its very hard for non japanese to succed in japan

[Kärnfysikern]

yes. I dont have a problem with imgirants and Im not racist. But if you lived in swedne you would understand my point. They require HUGE ammounts of money and a very big chunk of them take advantage of the faulty social security policies regarding imigrants. there are imgirants that live for years on social security money while hardworking swedes dont get shit. That I have a problem with. Its no the imigrants fault its the swedish goverments fault for allowing it.

[Kärnfysikern]

also sweden is stupid for letting in imigratns when our true unemployement figure is around 20% or more. They cant find work here neither can swedes and getting more people into the country isnt a good idea. It strains our economy. We used to have the highest living standards in the world, but for each year we are dropping in the lists.

[Heracles74]

The USA... greatest country on the planet bro. A world of opportunity over here. Freedoms you won't find anywhere else on earth.

[Kärnfysikern]

The USA... greatest country on the planet bro. A world of opportunity over here. Freedoms you won't find anywhere else on earth.

I would agree if it wasnt for the ban on steem cell research. I se it as a real danger for religious influences to effect other scientific fields and that isnt good imo. The rise of the christian right wing is bothering me. Not because I have a problem with christianity, most christians like most people are great people. But I dont want to live in a society where christian ways of life might be forced upon me.

[Heracles74]

I would agree if it wasnt for the ban on steem cell research. I se it as a real danger for religious influences to effect other scientific fields and that isnt good imo. The rise of the christian right wing is bothering me. Not because I have a problem with christianity, most christians like most people are great people. But I dont want to live in a society where christian ways of life might be forced upon me.

The Christian way of life will not be forced upon you in the US. That is again, more power to my point. The US is full of FREEDOMS. freedom of choice being the important one here, if you don't like the idea of christinaity, you don't have to put yourself in it. Shoot, there are tons of issues and things going on over here I don't agree with, but I make a happy life here for myself and my family. I am for stem cell research as well, so I feel ya on that...
I loved this couintry and my freedoms enough to "give back" and put my time in the Army. I believ in fighting for the freedoms we have here.

My point, without getting on a rant is, I see your point on various issues, but they don't have to be the moral behind living here. its ok to disagree. this isn't Iraq where they would kill you if you didn't vote a certain way. You can libe how you want and do whatyou need to do to achieve a happy life here bro.

[Kärnfysikern]

The Christian way of life will not be forced upon you in the US. That is again, more power to my point. The US is full of FREEDOMS. freedom of choice being the important one here, if you don't like the idea of christinaity, you don't have to put yourself in it. Shoot, there are tons of issues and things going on over here I don't agree with, but I make a happy life here for myself and my family. I am for stem cell research as well, so I feel ya on that...
I loved this couintry and my freedoms enough to "give back" and put my time in the Army. I believ in fighting for the freedoms we have here.

My point, without getting on a rant is, I see your point on various issues, but they don't have to be the moral behind living here. its ok to disagree. this isn't Iraq where they would kill you if you didn't vote a certain way. You can libe how you want and do whatyou need to do to achieve a happy life here bro.

Yeah I see your point. Im just afraid that level of freedom is at a risk of beeing a thing of the past soon. Patriot acts and so on seems to limit the freedom everyday. Im not that into usa politics so dont know but it seems like usa might be heading the wrong direction....

Your choices: (I only considered English primary countries)

1) USA -- best choice for your field bar none
2) Canada -- pretty good but your field is competitive here and the opportunities are not as good.
3) Australia -- dunno about the labour market for physicists there but you can't beat nice beaches and bad accents.

What level of degree do you have? If you have a Masters level or a Doctorate you will be able to move to any of these countries no sweat.

Im still in university so no degree yet. But I am planing on taking a phd in physics(filed yet undecided). Its been my life long dream so nothing will realy stop me. After I get my masters here in sweden I would like to take my phd in another country though. If I dont finish my masters in another country to.

[jasper1968]

I would agree if it wasnt for the ban on steem cell research. I se it as a real danger for religious influences to effect other scientific fields and that isnt good imo. The rise of the christian right wing is bothering me. Not because I have a problem with christianity, most christians like most people are great people. But I dont want to live in a society where christian ways of life might be forced upon me.

There is no ban, California just passed a 9 billion dollar bond on stem cell research.. Christian "ways" are not forced upon you in the states..Come out spend sometime in a major metro area and you might be surprised..However, this country was founded on judeo-christian fundamentals. That is just fact..

[sigmatro11]

Yeah they are pretty racist in japan until you get on the inside loop! So it would be pretty tough for a little while!

[Dave321]

Come to Miami Johan, I'll promise you more silicon than you could shake a stick at!

[CRUISECONTROL]

Come to Miami Johan, I'll promise you more silicon than you could shake a stick at!

Hell Yeah

[Kärnfysikern]

Come to Miami Johan, I'll promise you more silicon than you could shake a stick at!

Thats tempting But the heat would kill me quickly I recon Im a pale, pasty swede remember

[Dave321]

Thats tempting But the heat would kill me quickly I recon Im a pale, pasty swede remember

lol... gotcha! Well, you can still visit!

[Kärnfysikern]

lol... gotcha! Well, you can still visit!

when Im rich Il get a beachhouse in miami Offcourse I will be well into my 40's by then. Ohh well party on anyway. Nailing some 19 year old hotties would be a pieace of cake.

[Dave321]

when Im rich Il get a beachhouse in miami Offcourse I will be well into my 40's by then. Ohh well party on anyway. Nailing some 19 year old hotties would be a pieace of cake.

whoever said "money can't buy you happyness" was obviously poor!!!

[chicamahomico]

Your choices: (I only considered English primary countries)

1) USA -- best choice for your field bar none
2) Canada -- pretty good but your field is competitive here and the opportunities are not as good.
3) Australia -- dunno about the labour market for physicists there but you can't beat nice beaches and bad accents.

What level of degree do you have? If you have a Masters level or a Doctorate you will be able to move to any of these countries no sweat.

[anaBROLIC]

move in with Nark. i hear hes livin pretty sweet

[bor]

And also consider the fact that you'd be FREAKIN' HUGE in Japan

[Kärnfysikern]

what I like about germany is that having and using juice isnt ilegal. Only selling. A country where I can juice without beeing a criminal would be a big advantage. If it comes down to choosing betwen juice or a riskfree career the later is offcourse more important but I would like both.

[_Tiger_]

The USA is definitely going down the drain man. Anyone who knows history knows how it works, you have a country, they conquer and are seen as the biggest/baddest country out there, and after that, the people become decadent and lazy (i.e. ancient Rome) and someone comes in and wipes them out...Now I'm definitely patriotic, I love the principles of our country, but things have gone to shit and I dont see it getting any better...

We have a sh*tload of illegal immigrants taking jobs away from US citizens too, and theyre not just doing the bottom of the barrel work anymore, theyre getting good jobs and they are bleeding americas economy to death. America is bleeding to death, don't move here.

[Jester]

Come to the US... and see for yourself. I think you will like it.

[majorpecs]

The US may be going downhill as some of you say, but I guarantee you in our lifetime there will be NO other country that can compare to what the US will offer you.

[smokethedays]

The US may be going downhill as some of you say, but I guarantee you in our lifetime there will be NO other country that can compare to what the US will offer you.

very true

[CRUISECONTROL]

The US may be going downhill as some of you say, but I guarantee you in our lifetime there will be NO other country that can compare to what the US will offer you.

Amen bro

but I would still like to live somewhere like a tropical island

[Kärnfysikern]

In therms of economical power usa will within our lifetime become second to china. When it comes to technology asia is alread in the lead in many fields. When it comes to freedom combined with the above then the usa is number one and when it comes to astrophysics and physics in general usa is number one.

I hope usa will continue to be number one in those fields aswell,

[Kärnfysikern]

What states have the most respected research centers? Where is nasa mainly located? Caltech and JPL is in california right(or well I know caltech is lol but unsure about JPL)?

[Lifter2005]

What states have the most respected research centers? Where is nasa mainly located? Caltech and JPL is in california right(or well I know caltech is lol but unsure about JPL)?

Thought you might find this interesting.


China Not A Big Tech Innovator, But It's Spending A Lot On R&D Doug Tsuruoka
Mon Jul 25, 7:00 PM ET



The next time you hear a prediction that China's economy will conquer the world, consider what may be that nation's Achilles' heel: technology innovation.

South Korea is making strides in human cloning. Japan created Walkmans and videocams.

China has yet to score in breakthrough tech. The U.S. still trumps everyone in tech innovation, with its cutting edge research in IT, space technology, defense and other fields.

This doesn't mean China won't someday be a tech powerhouse. But a point to remember is that despite its huge manufacturing base and markets, some experts say China lacks the high-end R&D that's a key to any advanced nation's economic success.

"You still have the legacy of a Soviet style, state-led technology development system. Chinese companies are starting from a very low tech base...They are nowhere near the U.S. or Japan in terms of technology innovation," said Roger Cliff, a political scientist for think tank Rand Corp.

Beijing Spending Billions

China's government is pouring billions into its Academy of Sciences agency and state-owned firms to close its R&D gap. But before anyone assumes China threatens U.S. technology supremacy, one should consider the case of Japan in the 1980s.

At the time, the U.S. media was filled with stories about Japan's so-called Fifth Generation Computer Project. This was a government program to build robots and computers that could think and act like humans. The Japanese also were working on a jetliner that could compete with Boeing (NYSE:BA - News). Fujitsu (Other OTC:FJTSY.PK - News) and other Japanese DRAM chipmakers were jockeying to drive U.S. rivals out of the market. There was talk of a Japanese space station.

Some pundits warned that Japanese technology was about to clobber the U.S.

Twenty years later, Japan's Fifth Generation project is a complete failure. It was a victim of poor funding. Plans for a Japanese airliner never got off the ground. Designers found it hard to develop advanced avionics. Japanese chipmakers lost their edge to the U.S. as chip tech shifted and processors replaced DRAMs as pivotal products. There never was a Japanese space station.

Japan also is struggling to emerge from a decade-long economic funk. It never quite got around to challenging the U.S. for economic supremacy.

Will China be any different?

"China is making a lot of progress in technology, but they are still primarily a tech follower," said Cliff.

The National Science Foundation in its last weighty report on China's tech capability in 1999 said the country was still slow and backward in tech innovation.

Cliff says a big weakness is that most R&D funding still comes in a heavy-handed way from China's government, rather than Chinese companies. He says this differs from the U.S. where freer investment by industry has been the catalyst for major breakthroughs.

Dean Cheng, analyst with The CNA Corp., a nonprofit researcher in Washington, says the jury's still out on whether China will do better in tech innovation.

"Nobody thought the Japanese lacked the capability, mentality and R&D to take on the U.S. At the end of the day, they didn't devote enough resources. Can the Chinese devote resources and have their efforts pan out? It's very hard to say," Cheng said.

China, to be sure, is a rising tech power, Cheng says. It has scored big coups. Its space program put a manned craft in orbit in October 2003. It has developed nukes and sub-launched missiles.

Chinese scientists are on a par with those anywhere. The nation is pushing hard to become self-sufficient in developing its own tech.

But there are soft spots. Cheng says the Chinese have been weak in software development, though they are strong in hardware.

Other analysts say a lot of Chinese technology is "reverse-engineered" from products bought in advanced countries.

This is where products like computer-driven devices are taken apart and analyzed. The underlying technology is copied and used to make similar products.

The Chinese fighter that collided with a U.S. surveillance plane in January 2001, for example, is a giant version of the MiG-21, an outdated warplane the Chinese got from the Soviets.

Another Chinese approach is dual-use imports. They buy tech from the U.S. like machine tools that can be used to make both civilian and military products. Other machines and computers that run Chinese factories and military facilities were bought off-the-shelf from western countries.

CNA's Cheng says China still suffers from the effects of its bloody Cultural Revolution nearly 40 years ago. At the time, youthful Red Guards loyal to Chinese leader Mao Zedong tried to purge society of so-called counter-revolutionaries.

In the process, Cheng says, they made a shambles of China's education system, killing teachers and shutting schools.

There's a dearth of scientists and other specialists in China today, despite government efforts to graduate millions from Chinese and foreign universities.

"A whole generation was left illiterate," Cheng said. "That generation that didn't go to school is (now) in their 40s, 50s, and 60s. In a western industrial society, those are the (researchers) that would be in their most productive years."

Not everyone says China's weak in technology.

Michael Pillsbury, a respected Pentagon analyst said in a June report that China is making "remarkable achievements" in many areas.

Pillsbury notes China developed a supercomputer in the first half of this year that operates at 11 trillion calculations per second, on a par with some of the fastest. The Chinese also have designed a Pentium-style chip and are working on molecule-sized nanotech devices.

The Pentagon issued a report on Chinese military power on July 19 that showed growing modernization. But the report said part of it was based on weapons buys from Russia, rather than local development.

Cheng and Cliff say China may be a leader in certain tech fields in a decade or two. Its economy of scale, bigger than Japan or Taiwan, makes this possible.

But Cheng has another twist. In the end, he says, the real threat to China's economy isn't its lack of tech innovation, but the threat of political upheaval.

Cheng says China's prosperity is widening the gap between a poor peasantry in the country and a wealthy urban elite.

"Are these peasants going to buy RFID tags and chips? If I was sitting in (the leadership) in Beijing I would be very worried about the potential for social unrest. Only about a quarter of China's population of 1.3 billion have really benefited from the nation's prosperity," he said.