<p>In response to sorghum’s comment (#366) that American scientists are “not better than those of many other western industrial democracies,” I agree. Why should we be? I don’t think we are worse either, though. </p>
<p>I also agree with the comment that we depend significantly on foreign immigrant scientists in science and tech fields. I attribute this largely to the fact that US scientists and tech-types generally make middle-class salaries. The economic lure of i-banking, the law, and medicine should not be discounted. Anyone wanting to claim that scientists in the US should be paid more has my enthusiastic support!</p>