TheScooterScoop » Commentary

Huffington Post – When It Comes to Innovation, Is America Becoming a Third World Country?

Steve Guzman — Sat, 03 Apr 2010 07:15:29 +0000

Here’s a bit of an extremely important question recently raised at the Huffington Post.

Is America turning into a third world country? That was the provocative topic of a panel I took part in last week at a conference sponsored by The Economist entitled “Innovation: Fresh Thinking For The Ideas Economy.”

Once upon a time, the United States was the world’s dominant innovator — partly because we didn’t have much competition. As a result of the destruction wreaked by WWII, the massive migration of brainpower to the U.S. caused by the war, and huge amounts of government spending, America had the innovation playing field largely to itself. None of these factors exist as we enter the second decade of the 21st century.

America now has plenty of countries it’s competing with — many of which are much more serious about innovation than we are. Just look at the numbers:

A report by the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation looked at the progress made over the last decade in the area of innovation. Out of the 40 countries and regions it examined, the U.S. ranked dead last.

If you get a chance please take the time to read the whole story. This is of critical importance! We’re a bunch of innovative people here; let’s SHOW IT! Support the Maker movement, the DIY movement, the garage inventors and local Fab Labs, the artisans and grease monkeys. The consumption era is over! Let the second industrial revolution BEGIN!

Piaggio takes some plays from the Japanese design book?

Steve Guzman — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 00:48:00 +0000

First we had the Piaggio MP3, now they introduce the USB? I don’t know if this is just coincidence, but if Piaggio introduces the Piaggio Tweet next year then I’ll be highly suspicious that there’s a computer geek heading up the new product naming department over there.

I’ve got a headache right now, so I’m having trouble constructing my own deep and thoughtful analysis of this new concept. I suggest that you visit Hell For Leather to read their post from yesterday. While you’re there check out the jaw-dropping new designs from Moto Guzzi! The V7 Clubman Racer is the hotness, though I would have been happy with half the displacement.

Thanks to Orin O’Neill from Scootin’ Old Skool for the scoop.

PS> You can see what the Italians think about the USB here.

Korea by scooter

Steve Guzman — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 17:14:00 +0000

If you ever wanted to know what it would be like to be Canadian and ride a scooter through Korea then you’ll enjoy this educational, lighthearted glance through Martina’s HD Camcorder. Thanks for sharing EatYourKimchi!

Honda Forza gets new toys for Christmas, Reflex gets lump of coal

Steve Guzman — Wed, 26 Dec 2007 06:42:00 +0000

Dudel took some time out from unwrapping gifts to scoop us on the Forza updates. Looks like the fanzy Forza Z in Japan has undergone a full model change yesterday for launch in spring 2008. Besides the fancy key card, seven speed s-matic transmission, and optional cute kitty compartment, the all-new FORZA will be equipped with an audio system.

It’s American cousin, the Reflex, is of course discontinued. Honda’s biggest selling “lightweight motorcycle” is not available here. Honda’s biggest selling vehicle of all time, the Cub, also not available here. *steve kicks a dead horse*