Innovation as a battle cry.(NOVEL SOLUTIONS)(Editorial)

John Kao's view of life in America in 20 years if we continue along with the status quo reads like George Bailey's glimpse of Bedford Falls without his existence in It's a Wonderful Life. Just as Bedford Falls turned into seedy Pottersville with its slums, dispirited residents and disreputable nightlife, an America without its innovation edge will be an angry place, where the have-nots conspire for violent demonstrations against the haves, who live in bubbles behind locked gates.

This illustration of 2027 America, offered in Kao's book Innovation Nation, may cause some eye-rolling, but the author does offer a positive alternative. America could be the land of happy comfort, where marriages last, good-paying jobs are plenty and opportunity for advancement surprises you at every corner.

Kao's point is that America is in danger of falling behind in innovation and may soon lose her place as a global leader. It's a fear that touches close to home for the metalcasting industry, which has watched its customers move to foreign suppliers each year.

Deemed "Mr. Creativity" by The Economist, Kao has taught a class on innovation at Harvard Business School and advises Fortune 500 business and government leaders. The premise behind Innovation Nation is that the U.S. is losing its edge in innovation on a global scale as countries like India, China and Singapore are making it a priority. The book touches only sparingly on what individual companies or organizations can do to boost their innovation assets, instead looking at the big picture and focusing on whole industries, government and education. Metalcasting owners and managers won't find solid tips or how-to steps in this book, but as a study on where America is headed and how it may affect the country's businesses, it is worth a read.

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

The key, Kao says, is for America to focus on solving problems such as climate change, health care and national security. "Innovation applied to a wicked problem can realize an enormous amount of social and economic value by setting new commercial standards, creating new businesses and generating new sources of value," Kao writes.

One of his main concerns is the "brain drain" of America's highest-degreed individuals, particularly engineers, ...