In an interview with CNET News.com, ex-Microsoft exec Nathan Myhrvold, founder of Intellectual Ventures, said that back in the 19th century, people understood the job of an inventor.
"If you go to a cocktail party now and someone says that they're an inventor, it's very strange," he said. "Most people's idea of an inventor is that crazy guy from the 'Back to the Future' movies."
His exact scenario has played out with me tens of times as Christopher Lloyd's "Gigawatts" is laughingly tossed my way. Although it is temporarily funny like jokes about links between(low) intelligence and national origin or "old guys" wanting status quo, it reflects a real (and dangerous) national attitude. If you have patents you are a silly geek. 100 years ago one of the richest and most revered citizens was Thomas Edison.
A few years ago I was pitching my RFID company to a venture group and they asked me to explain the technology behind a spread spectrum technique. After their eyes glazed over and I saw a "No", my friend in the firm took me aside and advised, "If investors ask for any technical explanation, politely beg off. They equate high tech skills with bad management abilities."
Gee, do you think there is a link between the Indias and Chinas growing so dramatically and how they treat their techies with respect and honor?
I'd be really interested on the circumstances where you were told that. Generally in the circles where I've pitched ideas, the G factor is generally not a barrier. ....bad management skills..! bah!, what good are good mgmt skills, when all they will be left managing is importations.
Google creates an animated doodle that features a boy, a girl, Google's search engine, and a jump rope. But might there be darker, more analytical, more troubling interpretations to this tale?
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EnerG2 opens a plant to make an engineered carbon that will improve performance of energy storage devices and make storage for start-stop hybrid cars less expensive.
A few years ago I was pitching my RFID company to a venture group and they asked me to explain the technology behind a spread spectrum technique. After their eyes glazed over and I saw a "No", my friend in the firm took me aside and advised, "If investors ask for any technical explanation, politely beg off. They equate high tech skills with bad management abilities."
Gee, do you think there is a link between the Indias and Chinas growing so dramatically and how they treat their techies with respect and honor?
....bad management skills..! bah!, what good are good mgmt skills, when all they will be left managing is importations.