The Search for Talent

Abstract

The identification and search for talent is in very much in demand in our global and technological society. It’s not a priority in undeveloped nations, the bottom half of its world population. Even in developed countries, not all kinds of talent are recognized, nurtured, or rewarded. Demographic differences over centuries shape thinking, attitudes and talent. People who live in isolated mountain regions, desserts, and in jungles acquire different skills and talents. People limited by geographical isolation are disadvantaged in what knowledge and skills they develop. People who assimilate new ideas from other cultures tend to develop and prosper more than isolated people (or nations)—and the major reason why the Western world developed more rapidly than the East. But change is the inevitable. The West has peaked and a growing number of knowledge producers, with hard to pronounce names, are now coming from the Eastern world. America and its European cousins are beginning to lose both its inventive and innovative edge to China, India, South Korea, Japan, etc. Even worse, talented immigrant students that once migrated to the U.S. are now chasing jobs in emerging countries or returning back home after being educated in the U.S. The U.S. is still considered the top country in generating new ideas and encouraging innovative companies. The need for the U.S., and democratic countries in general, is to recognize and reward different abilities and talents that serve the interest of the common good. A question arises: Should someone who can entertain us with a cowboy or hip hop song or hit a baseball 400 feet earn 100 to 500 times more than a teacher or engineer?