Re:There will be a job for you (Score 1)

A few points to consider: 1. It is a normal consequence of automation and increased productivity to have the percent of the population doing a job decrease. In 1900 40% of the population was in agriculture now less than 2% yet the US produces more food than ever. In 1950 40% of the population was in manufacturing now it is now to 11% yet the US makes more GNP in manufactured goods than ever before. Job "Loss" is not a new effect related to internationalization it is the long term effect of better productivity. 2. The fastest growing economy in the world is China, yet the GNP per capita of the US across all sectors of the economy is so far ahead of China that if the US economy stood still it would take 40 years of the current Chinese growth to catch up. I am not planning on letting the US economy stand still, are you? 3. It is of course painful to be one of the people that no longer has a job as a result of a decision by a particular employer, however, the net effect of out sourcing is: a) infinitesimal compared to the economy as a whole or even per sector. b)creates more US customers by a multiplier. That is two US jobs are created than lost when we stimulate a foreign economy to grow by outsourcing. 4. The "Pennies on the dollar" perspective is of limited value. If a US company got crappy code or service from an out source vender for "pennies on the dollar" they would not do it. It is not the cost, it is the value that counts. a)The last time a US college won the international programming contest was 1986. b) For at least 20 years the ratio of foreign students to US students on graduate school of all technical disciplines has leaned towards foreign students. This is caused more my a lack of domestic applicants than a policy decision at schools. US students have not been selecting the hard sciences. 5. The US popular culture thrives on competition in sports, politics and reality TV. The US economy is based upon the idea that competition for jobs, contracts, business, ideas, market share etc. all works to make a more robust vibrant and inclusive economy. If you believe in competition and you believe in the US economy then step up, pick a discipline and compete. The deck is not stacked against you, if anything it is stacked in your favor compared to most of the world. It may turn out that you do loss a job to a clever programmer from Bangalore India, or even Detroit Michigan. The will not be the end of the world or the end of your career. If you looe So what does you future hold? No one can tell. However if you are a good problem solver, trained in the basic disciplines of science and math, have broad interests and are dedicated to being a life time learner you will be well positioned to take on whatever happens. If you are looking are "An easy A" in something that will set you up for life so you can earn tons of money with little or no on going effort so you can pursue your hobbies then I am afraid that the universe will have some surprises for you.