> There are more scientists and engineers in the U.S. than ever before. None of this has translated into meaningful advances in Americans’ standard of living.
It seems like this article is attempting to state a problem that doesn't exist to create a stir. No meaningful advances recently? I cannot take this statement seriously when I now have the entire internet easily accessible in my pocket at all times compared to 10 years ago. I can talk face to face with my grandmother miles away from the comfort of my room. And virtual reality seems to be on its way to becoming a game changer for many industries if (or when) it catches on.
> Electric cars, for example, cost more and perform worse than equivalent gasoline cars; the batteries subtract space and add weight, and mileage is limited especially in extreme temperatures.
This statement has for too many variables to me to accept as true. There are many different ways to measure performance of a car. If the writer is talking speed performance, the Model S blows every competitor out of the water. Mileage is a different story, but maintenance from what I've seen appears to be cheaper (no oil changes, belt/chain replacements, etc). And the batteries and motor take up less space when compared to the engine and drivetrain of comparable vehicles. Maybe now electric isn't the most economical choice, but it seems like that's slowly changing.
His point about slowing growth in tech certainly may be true, but some of the statements he makes towards the affects of this lack of growth seem backwards to me.