[Osx-nutters] US - no brains, just sticks and stones

[David Cake]

At 7:18 PM +0100 4/12/07, Mark Smith wrote:
>On 04.12.2007, at 18:32, Kevin Callahan wrote:
>
>>
>>
>>  US places 17 of 30 in Science, 24 of 30 in Math
>>
>>  Finland takes number 1 in Science
>>
>>  Finland, Taiwan, South Korea and Hong Kong take top spot in Math
>
>Finland is really going places. I've been there a couple of times 
>recently. The young Fins have, on the whole, really got their heads 
>screwed on right. They are pouring fortunes into science and 
>technology at the national level. Contrary to popular opinion, Nokia 
>is not really driving the whole economy itself. It has a vibrance all 
>of its own. It will take a while before Helsinki und Tampere reach the 
>living standards of cities like Zurich, Oslo and Stockholm, but reach 
>them and surpass them, they may well do.
>
>They are friendly folks and good drinkers and have an excellent, if 
>terribly difficult to learn language, but they speak English about as 
>well as the Dutch which is very well indeed.

	I love the Finns. Only been there once, but loved it. Hoping 
to return soon, possibly for Finncon or Ropecon. Spent most of my 
time in Tampere, with a brief visit to Turku and just a little 
Helsinki sightseeing.

>Drawbacks:
>
>A strategically disastrous location should the Russians go mental again.

	The Finns fought them off once, and I think are all mentally 
prepared to give it another try should it become necessary.

>The scenery can't hold a candle to Norway, Scotland, or New Zealand 
>unless you like flattish, leafy (or, more accurately needly) sub-
>tundra and lakes so big you can't see the ends of them.

	I thought it was still pretty beautiful, though not as 
showing as places with mountains.

>The weather can be depressing.

	Yes indeed. Seasonal affective disorder appears to be 
considered part of the national culture.