This brings to mind the horror of Kevin Rudd’s coming talk-fest, which will probably be riddled with impractical academics.

We certainly have a cargo-cult mentality to technology, which probably has little to do with what we do best in Australia. We buy it from countries who manufacture it, but use it far less themselves.

Why are academics always tarred and feathered as impractical? Probably lefties as well, of the closet sort.

HenryVIII,

Because it is generally true. And yes, they are very often (mostly) lefties, and not of the closet kind. They are quite open about it, as they are entitled to be.

I am also impratical, if that makes you feel less offended.

I'm surprised that anyone who has been out of the egg for more than 5 minutes should need to ask about such facts :)

I suppose it adds couple of numbers to a subject no one seems to be interested in this weekend. I think it's an important subject, and I agree totally with the author, but carried away with my scorn for the Rudd talk-fest which is supposed to not be a talk-fest, and forgot to say so.

I have known a good number of academics from a number of countries and they have always struck me as generally very practical,talented, multiskilled and thoughtful people. It's no wonder fascists don't like them.

OK, Henry. Why don't you just call me a facist and be done with it. I'm sure it will make your little chest swell with pride. You probably don't get many kicks out of life.

I have known a good number of academics from a number of countries and they have always struck me as generally very practical,talented, multiskilled and thoughtful people. It's no wonder fascists don't like them.
HenryVIII,
you're confusing fascism with pragmatism & effort. A fascist is one who believes in the supremacy of one group over another, much like Academia believes itself to be more intelligent than the rest of the population but rarely produces anything of use. Also, I noticed you didn't mention academics from Australia. Sounds like you know more than you let on.

Sounds like you don't know what you are talking about. There are a great many Australian academics who have done a lot for Australia, and usually on a much lower income than the bankers, accountants, business managers, and entrepreneurs who continue to dodge taxes and to make stupid mistakes that cost us a lot of money and who don't support the R $ D this country needs if it is to stay anywhere near competitve with Asia, not to mention New Zealand.

Tom, I've been making similar points for 20 years, with little success. In response to an article in The Australian's Higher Education Supplement on Carr's plans to drive innovation through university funding, I wrote that -
"Innovation Minister Kim Carr's emphasis is on "improving the relationship between the public and private sectors" ("New minister votes for innovation", HES, December 19). Carr is a proponent of industry protection and picking winners, and his understanding of innovation seems flawed. The prime driver of innovation is market-driven competition, and in most cases success is due more to skills in commercialisation and access to markets than to the quality of the original idea. It also helps to live in a large, innovative community with all necessary services: the US is by far the most innovative economy, and about half of its innovation comes from four mega-metropolises, which could never be replicated in Australia. I'd advise Carr to focus his pro-innovation efforts on promoting open markets and on widespread dissemination of publicly funded research, and to recognise that some of the most innovative industries in Australia - mining, mining equipment, retailing and finance - are not primarily dependent on university research."

The Queensland Government approach is "We have unique flora and fauna, therefore we will be worldbeaters at biotech," ignoring the extensive US literature on the development of the industry. (Just as, "we have energy, we have magnesium ore, we'll be worldbeaters in light metals," etc.) There seems a reluctance in Australia to seek the facts on innovation and act accordingly.

It is ironic that Australia’s universities and schools are becoming less Australian in time.

There are now numerous computers in many schools, but nearly all of these computers are imported, together with the software installed on them.

Many universities are now purchasing Blackboard products. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blackboard_Inc. However these products are all imported.

Schools are now purchasing printable whiteboards, but most of these are imported.

I understand that most of the ink and photocopy toner being used in Australia is imported, and much of the paper being used is also imported.

So there is only the chairs and desks to go, and everything in a classroom will be imported.

So much for an Australian education system, and our abilities to innovate.