Japanese and US engineering careers compared

The author was looking forward to hearing the presentations given by James T. Clemons, AT&T Bell Laboratories and D. Eleanor Westney, Mitsubishi Career Development Chair in International Relations, MIT, respectively. He wanted to find some sophisticated way of introducing the subject-perhaps some startling statistics. Numbers usually get the attention of engineering audiences. But the more he thought about it, the more he realized that the subject area relates to a burning issue he felt in his gut for many years. He has decided to be authentic and true to himself rather than to find an impersonal and rational opening. He notes with regret that at one time, all he owned were made in America; now, all he owns are made in Japan. All he once owned were engineered in America; all he now owns are engineered in Japan. He buys the Japanese products because they are better; in some cases, he couldn´t buy American because his country has lost the ability to manufacture competitive products.