Just some thoughts I've had on USA vs. Europe R&D. I've noticed that computer science research/development in Europe tends to be more theory-based, as if the g

Just some thoughts I've had on USA vs. Europe R&D. I've noticed that computer science research/development in Europe tends to be more theory-based, as if the goal is to create a little world where everything makes sense; like the courtly protocols of a medieval sovereign. I'm thinking Dijkstra (who wanted a respectable profession), German academics I've known, and strikingly in some French papers and software I've come across. Whereas work in the States seems to be more outcome-based and pragmatic. There's Edison, BASIC and Microsoft, and also Ethernet (which is deliberately non-deterministic.) Of course these are just statistical patterns, and every individual person will exhibit both tendencies. So, my theory is that, culturally, not having a sovereign or a court gave people the freedom to do whatever works, without it looking elegant. But it's also scarier to live that way - hence, religion.