DI: During the late ’50s and early ’60s, the United States led the world in science, technology and innovation? Is the United States still in the lead?

BC: We used to be the strongest engineering and scientific base of knowledge. I would say on engineering in the world, India and China have passed us. We still have the most vibrant capital markets, but India and China are working hard to catch up in that area. Their economies are growing so quickly. China’s economy has grown double digits for the last 20 years. No other country in modern history has done that.

In a very short period of time, these two countries have caught up to us in a lot ways. A lot of the reason is their strong math and science education from kindergarten, but particularly in high school.

DI: How come the United States has yet to really respond to the fact that students from foreign countries are outpacing American students in academic achievement?

BC: Several reasons. We presumably don’t have the political will to respond. We don’t respond well unless there is a serious crisis. We don’t seem to be able to come to grips with the reality that we could ever be anything other than No. 1.

Also, those two countries are coming out of poverty. To get a job as an engineer, you can lift your standard of living dramatically. Here, [in the United States], kids don’t want to work that hard. When I go into schools, grade schools, high schools and elementary schools, I always ask how many students want to be an engineer or a scientist. If I get one or two in a class, I’m shocked. Most want to be: professional athletes, professional entertainers, professional wrestlers, rock stars. Our culture recognizes, reveres and rewards athletic achievement. Chinese and Indian cultures revere, recognize and reward academic achievement.