How can we promote technological innovation?

In class we began with a quiz on the Hojo Colliery and innovation readings. Then Professor Dressaire gave a lecture on National Innovation Systems. We discussed recent approaches towards innovation and how it is working in countries such as China, Thailand, and even developed countries like the U.S. After that we took some time individually to formulate a paragraph on how to improve national innovation systems in Russia.

Following the writing session, we had a discussion on academic writing and how it is different from high school to college. We also talked more about transitioning academically into college. Lastly, we read an article on new business models from The Economist.

Hell in coal mines

Developing economies need energy to fuel their growth. In China, the cheapest and most readily available source of energy is coal. Coal currently accounts for 71% of the energy consumed in mainland China. But coal is dirty and dangerous... Can China learn from the past, use modern technologies and avert an environmental catastrophe?

In order to better understand the 'coal hell', we studied a chapter of Toxic Archipelago (Walker, 2010), a book that captures vividly the human suffering caused by Japan's economic growth at the turn of the twentieth century. In this chapter the author describes mining accidents that led to the deaths of hundreds of miners in the name of economic growth. The author also presents the environmental damages caused by oil refineries.

China's contemporary situation is fairly similar to Japan's in the 1900s, as both countries experience exponential economic growth. The scale of China's energetic needs and the rate at which it is producing and importing coal are alarming. Mining accidents, acid rain and air pollution are the prices that China seemed willing to pay up to a few years ago. And then the central government started pushing for reforms and new technologies, whether or not these new regulations will be enough to have a positive impact on the environment, they constitute a step in the right direction... a bold move that Western powers seem to have so much trouble making!

S-curve and Writing Well

Last class we started by covering our readings about ways underdeveloped countries can catch up with technology. The S-curve was a main focus on our readings and illustrated how less developed countries can catch up in technology adaptation because developed countries often reach a plateau with their technology adaptation. We also learned about the idea of "leapfrogging" or skipping intermediate stages of technological development that are sometimes unnecessary. We then looked at some countries initiatives to start aircraft manufacturing companies in their country. Many of these companies successfully built small air-crafts, but then struggled to build more complicated large air-crafts. I concluded my presentation by showing some of the problems with this technological catch-up including the problem that while less developed countries learn these technologies, it is very possible that developed countries will move onto a new more advanced technology making the previous innovation less useful or entirely obsolete.
Next we focused on how to write convincingly. Many of our four paragraphs did not do this so we learned a few techniques on how to improve our writing. We discussed the importance of evidence to support your claims, being specific with ideas, and using clear and concise language. As well we talked about staying on topic, connecting ideas, and not using casual language. We concluded the class by fixing our references so that they adhered to the APA format.

Design Challenge: Sustainable/Cheap Water Containers

One of the problems plaguing the third world is the transport of water in regions that lack a proper water and sanitation infrastructure. The challenge to T-Lab then was to come up with easily-used containers to transport water in a time and energy-effective manner in fuel-poor regions.

Team 1: Reid, Cris, Tinashe, Chloe, and Aysen

Team 2: Yun, Chase, Binod, and Natalia

Team 3: Jon, Zander, Elias, and Luke

Infrastructure

We discussed the importance of infrastructure in developing countries. Without adequate infrastructure, developing countries are unable to advance at a faster way. Infrastructure provides a foundation for technological learning, faciliates trade and intragration into world markers and helps grow the local expertise. Infrastructure is essential for development of academic and research institutions. Stable infrastructure will also attract foreign investment. Adequate infrastructure will also increase employment and increase the development of small and medium sized businesses. African countries need to be capable to develop, operate and maintain infrastructure services.

In addtion, we also talked about the seriousness of plagiarism. All sources and quotations must be properly cited. We also can not submit the same paper to two classes, this is call self plagierism.

Issues Facing the Developing World

Last class we discussed the role of science and technological innovation in the least developed countries. Due to high tariffs and low investments, least developed countries are faced with sporadic imports creating a lack of exposure to international technological developments. When combined with a weak internal educational system and the high emigration level of skilled workers, a "brain drain" is created within the country leading to a deepening marginalization in the global economy. The class discussion mainly addressed the two proposed U.N. solutions. The "surge" idea and the "know how" idea. The "surge" idea proposed immediate technological development in the least developed countries. In essence, bringing the least developed countries to the level of developed countries. Though a good concept, the weaknesses of this proposition make it very risky and expensive to attempt as it requires enormous investments from developed countries and nearly instantaneous development in the abilities of internal enterprises and workers. The "know how" idea brings up the point that technology is not simply technological means and information but also technological understanding. The idea proposed that the main focus should be commercial innovation rather than technological acquisition. As agricultural and farming techniques need to be bred to the unique conditions of each country the "know how" idea appeared noticeably stronger. This way least developed countries could join the global economy without having to "copy" developed countries. Lastly, we discussed the importance of internal policy developments that created framework to enhance education and learning of technological developments.

-Elias Riskin