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America seems to be on a downward slide. Our government spends too much; our economy creates too little; and we aren't preparing our children to compete in a global marketplace. Yet our politicians - Republican and Democrat alike - just don't get it. While once-great cities fall into decay, Washington thrives, living off the hard work and tax dollars of the private sector. It's time for an American comeback — and it starts with innovation.
Throughout its history, America's great innovators have been the drivers of our unsurpassed economic success. American innovation transformed a country of ragtag farmers into the epicenter of the world's technological progress. Innovation creates jobs, markets, and new industries where none existed before. Most importantly, innovation moves us forward as a nation, pushing us to succeed and strive for a better tomorrow. In short, innovation is the American Dream.
In The Comeback, Gary Shapiro shows us how to return innovation to its rightful place at the center of America's economic policy. The Comeback is a new blueprint for America's success.
PatricHale
Posted January 25, 2011
Gary Shapiro learned the hard way about how the world is changing fundamentally in the 21st Century, and how our policy-makers in Washington simply aren't keeping up. Since 1941 with the entrance of the USA into WWII, we sacrificed and worked hard to develop a better world thereafter. From WWII throughout the Cold War our sacrifices were meant to free first Western Europe, then Eastern Europe, and finally Asia from the scourge of dictatorial regimes with centrally directed economies. We all knew that countries and economies built on free markets, the rule of law, democratic institutions, and human rights would lead to better societies. Since the fall of the Berlin Wall, the spread of this philosophy has been firmly established. And the results? They have been as predictable as our faith that guided our policies throughout the post-WWII era. Given this scenario, is it really any surprise that China has increased its importance in the world, or Germany and the EU is now challenging the USA, or Brazil, South Africa, India, and other countries are now maximizing its opportunities?
But here's the problem - we have a policy-making community in Washington, DC that remains fixated on a Cold War view of America and its powers in a new global economy. It's time for a wake-up call: We won the Cold War, but the Wall fell over 20 years ago now and the world has changed. We can declare victory, but that no longer is good enough for us to continue to be the leader of the world by fiat - now we have to earn it the hard way, by competing!
It is time for all of us to wake up to the 21st Century and understand that there is a global economy out there that doesn't take any prisoners. That means we will have to compete in ways that none of us have had to in our lifetimes. It means getting our financial house in order, sending more Americans overseas to sell US products, and stop being the nice guys of the global economy. In short, we have to be realistic about the new global economy in the 21st century - and it starts by recognizing that it will be determined by economic competition more than anything else.
This competition is very real. All Americans have to start reinvigorating The American Dream and look towards our #1 competitive advantage to sustain us into the future - and that is our innovation. No other society is so phenomenally geared to innovation as the USA. The Japanese are superior copiers; the Chinese is the ultimate low-cost manufacturers; India is the low-cost out-sourced services provider; and the EU is the ultimate followers of everything else. Only the USA has a culture of innovation like no other. It's inconceivable, for example, that someone like Steve Jobs would be any nationality other than American.
No amount of kowtowing and begging by first the Bush and now Obama administrations will deter the Chinese from maximizing their competitive advantages and global economic interests. The solutions to our economic problems are ALL in our own hands and we must start to change NOW. This is an excellent book to help you wake up to the 21st century to learn what the problems are and what YOU can do to be a part of the solution. We can't wait for our "leaders" in Washington, DC, to "lead" us because they are still looking into the rear-view mirror instead of looking to the future and where we're heading.
In short: READ THIS BOOK!
Patric Hale
Author, "It's the Economy! (Stupid) -
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted January 14, 2011
Much is said about the growing role of emerging countries and the role of innovation to boost the economies of developed countries. In this book, Gary Shapiro explains very clearly why and how countries should focus on innovation and create growth opportunities. He explained also clearly the role of governments. The reader will not remain indifferent. This book makes you think. It raises uncomfortable questions. It covers the United States, but all countries are concerned. I hope this book will serve to launch a debate on "real" issues of innovations related to information technology: inventing the future and not automate the past.
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Posted January 12, 2011
I recommend this book that was just released this past week at the CES. Gary Shapiro gives the most powerful explanation as to where we are as a nation and where we should be going regarding real growth and job creation through innovation.
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Posted December 30, 2010
"I received my copy on December 24th, 2010 instead of January 6th 2011 as intitialy scheduled by Barnes & Noble. This was not just a surprise but the greatest holiday gift that I can remember! This book (living story) is about national rules of engagement. Gary Shapiro, the guru of the consumer elctronic industry, sums up this engagement or strategy in one word - Innovation!!! The direct link between immigration and quantum innovation is what I will let you discover for yourself. As a consultant, I know that forces for change and forces against change are most of the time in equilibrium or around equilibrium. It does not matter the kind of change, and in equilibrium nothing moves. Isn't that why organizations hardly ever change? Do you know of anything that changes you (and society!) before you know it did? Did you just say INNOVATION?
As a first generation immigrant to the United States I am proud of the United States and want it to succeed. I also appreciate Mr. Shapiro's appreciation for and focus on the vital historic and potential role bright hard working immigrants have played and should play in the future of United States.
I wish you an innovative joyful reading experience!!!"
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Posted December 14, 2010
I had the pleasure to receive a pre-published copy of Gary Shapiro's important new book "The Comeback." In it, Shapiro describes the complexities of the most pressing issues facing our country, from immigration reform and the crushing deficit, to our failing education system, and provides a clear path forward - or back -- to the American Dream. Shapiro intertwines compelling examples of American ingenuity and perseverance to illustrate the need for politicians to promote policies that embrace and reward entrepreneurship. The book leaves the reader with a sense of both dread and optimism; dread when contemplating what lies at the end of our current path, but optimism for Shapiro's strategy to get America back on the right path. By recognizing the need to foster innovation, Shapiro effectively outlines a strategy to return the United States to its role as the world's most powerful economic leader. "The Comeback" is a must read for every policymaker.
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Posted December 2, 2010
I received an advance copy of The Comeback. The book is a frank and accurate account of what is wrong in this country. It is neatly packaged in a concise format that fairly attributes the current problems (and potential solutions) to both sides of the aisle. The author keeps you engaged in not just identifying the problems, but clear pathways to returning Innovation to its rightful place in our economy. It is enlightening without being intimidating. A short book that will keep you engaged long after you put the book down.
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Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Let me first say that I am really worried about the future of America. The American Dream is in shams for so many millions of hard working people. Gary Shapiro who I am very fond of as he leads CEA and CES every year, brings up some very scary, but true points in The Comeback. I am a firm believer and agree with Shapiro that Technology will be the key to our future in so many different industries. Technology will solve many problems in the health-care industry and I am excited to be working on it this summer! I can't say enough about the valid points Shapiro brings up throughout the book and I am very inspired to innovate as much as possible during my lifetime after reading this solid book. Honestly I think every politician should read this book before they consider even running for office. They could really make a big difference and inspire innovation while getting government out of the way. I look forward to doing my part in restoring the American Dream for others in America.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Consumer Electronics Association CEO Gary Shapiro makes a clear, focused and unabashedly conservative case for his central themes: The United States can come back from its current weak economic position, and innovation is the key to success. Shapiro has been involved with innovation throughout his career and has a knack for boiling complex situations down to clear and enthusiastically right-leaning statements. Building more nuclear power plants might not be a very popular idea for a while after Japan's Fukushima disaster, but the problems Shapiro mentions are definitely worth discussing even if you disagree with the solutions he proposes. getAbstract recommends this book to those interested in innovation and in Shapiro's notions regarding how the US can effect economic recovery.
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Posted February 19, 2011
Excellent with some sage advice for Congress. Everyone should read! I wish the "Net Neutrality" chapter were a little more "clear".. but maybe because I just don't "get it"... Think I'm going to send a "lend me" notice to my Congressman and Senators!
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Posted January 12, 2011
The book raises the tough issues our policymakers are ignoring. How can we have a national strategy focusing on the long term. When will we stop stealing from our children? How can we send kids to war when Americans don't demand we face issues at home?
It could have been called The Plan!
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Posted March 22, 2011
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Overview
America seems to be on a downward slide. Our government spends too much; our economy creates too little; and we aren't preparing our children to compete in a global marketplace. Yet our politicians - Republican and Democrat alike - just don't get it. While once-great cities fall into decay, Washington thrives, living off the hard work and tax dollars of the private sector. It's time for an American comeback — and it starts with innovation.
Throughout its history, America's great...