I fear that it's happening, because of our weak education system and the decreasing cultural appreciation for intellectualism in American culture. Our educatio

I fear that it's happening, because of our weak education system and the decreasing cultural appreciation for intellectualism in American culture. Our education system and our culture also discourage imagination and curiosity, both of which are necessary for innovation as well as for R&D. If you disagree, spend some time watching the Simpsons and see how they present the intellectuals (e.g. Lisa Simpson, Professor Frink, Martin), and look at how close to reality that is. (Satire doesn't work without a kernel of truth.)