We're Number Seven! US Slips in the Information Economy, Study Reports

If you follow any of this stuff, you knew it would only be a matter of time when other countries that take education and infrastructure more seriously than the US would pass us...and they are

European countries and Singapore have surpassed the United States in their ability to exploit information and communication technology, according to a new survey.

The United States, which topped the World Economic Forum's "networked readiness index" in 2006, slipped to seventh. The study, out Wednesday, largely blamed increased political and corporate interference in the judicial system.

The index, which measures the range of factors that affect a country's ability to harness information technologies for economic competitiveness and development, also cited the United States' low rate of mobile telephone usage, a lack of government leadership in information technology and the low quality of math and science education.

As one cabbie from Somalia told me recently, "Americans hate math and, well, that's a shame and an opportunity for people like me". It is and while the report notes that the, "U.S. market environment remains the best in the world in terms of how easy it is to set up a business, get loans and have access to market capital", we just aren't investing in creating that capital, i.e. minds, well enough.

Note to self... get mobile phone and brush up on calculus...

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