Oh, Boy! 25-Year-Old Technology! We're Number One!
America used to be "number one" in just about everything. We had the coolest stuff, to put this another way. We had the tallest buildings in the world, the most impressive highway system, the best cars, the best war-fighting equipment, and the best of everything else. Our infrastructure was the envy of the rest of the world.
This is, sadly, no longer true. In fact, it hasn't been true for many decades now. Oh, sure, we still have a lot of technological innovation -- and some of it is still the envy of the rest of the world. But not all of it, because other countries have leapt so far ahead of us in certain technological realms. To say nothing of them building higher buildings, better airports, and much faster trains.
This all came home to me recently, when I received in the mail a new credit card with -- gasp! -- a computer chip built into it. The accompanying letter from the bank bragged about how advanced this technology was, and how much safer and more secure it would make all our transactions. News stories about the switchover took a similar tone: "What an incredible technological advancement, folks!"
As any random European might put it: "It is to laugh, no?"
Most Americans don't even realize how far behind we've fallen, as a country. This is because most Americans don't ever leave the United States. They don't see the contrast to how other people live, or if they do maybe they only see foreign beachside resorts or similar tourist enclaves. So the idea of "We're number one!" still resonates strongly across America, even when so demonstrably untrue. Bernie Sanders attempted to point this out (on economics and what governments should be responsible for), and was resoundingly sneered at for doing so (even from the debate's moderator, who really should know better, since I assume Anderson Cooper has been to Europe once or twice himself).
To really understand how life in America differs from the rest of the world -- Europe in particular -- requires a level of commitment most Americans would find unthinkable: move to another country and live there for a while. I did so, back in the early 1990s -- not for any noble "expanding my mind and horizons" reasons, but because I was chasing a girl. That chase was successful, I might add, and she is now my lovely wife. But for two years, I lived with her in Paris.
While there, I got a bank account and a credit card (actually a debit card, but it was a full-on Visa card, common for the era). This card had not only a computer chip in it, but also came with a personal identification number, or PIN.
In 1992.
When America -- very belatedly -- decided to adopt this technology, technology that was a quarter-century old, mind you, they chose not to bring America up to the standard the rest of the world has used for decades. Our chips are slightly different, and they do not require a PIN. So for all the bragging about "how secure" the card is from my bank, it is intentionally less secure than the one I had in Paris -- in 1992.
When you travel in Europe, nothing marks you as an American faster than having to sign a credit card receipt. The clerk will give you a rather odd look, which might be translated to: "Geez, you guys still haven't gotten your act together on credit card security?" It's like renting a car in Europe and asking for an automatic transmission -- it immediately marks you as an American tourist.
This isn't some lifestyle thing like what cheeses you eat or how much paid vacation you are guaranteed, this is the most mundane of all modern financial transactions -- using a piece of plastic to buy something. The American banks fought the switchover for years (quite successfully) because they whined it would cost them a bunch of money. Perhaps all the data thefts convinced them security was worth pursuing, or perhaps the big bad government told them to do so via a new regulation. Either way, the banks still whined that going whole hog -- requiring all cards to have PINs -- was still too expensive to tackle. Even though (and this is a key point) the machines all vendors must use to read credit cards all had to be upgraded. If they are all being forced to upgrade their machines, then why not make the switch to PINs at the same time? The short-sightedness just boggles the mind.
What's even more mind-boggling is that Americans have been hoodwinked, once again, into thinking "We're number one!" technology-wise, when we just plain aren't. The average American gets his or her new card in the mail, reads the form letter from the bank, and hears a story about the changeover on television news. They are left thinking this country is leading the world in instituting cutting-edge security features to foil data thieves.
But we're not leading the rest of the world on this one. We're just not. We're following, and even with chips in our new cards, we are still trailing far behind other industrialized nations. I have to admit, if I hadn't seen this for myself, I might also have bought into the hogwash of America leading the world in credit card security.
But I have seen for myself that other countries are better. And I saw this in 1992. Almost a quarter-century ago.
-- Chris Weigant
Follow Chris on Twitter: @ChrisWeigant
News flash ... Canadians have been enjoying this "new" technology - PINs, chips and mere taps - for decades now, too.
We have better election time debates as well, I might add.
I can't even watch the presidential debates anymore. It's just too depressing.
Why do you hate America?
I am sure that there are many instances of piddley stuff where the US lags behind..
But the fact that we are the only acknowledged Superpower on the planet is still the undisputed fact of the land...
Our 25-year old credit card technology notwithstanding.. :D
Michale
On the subject of debit/credit cards...
A repost ofan earlier comment..
====================================
Allow me to post a passage from an "old" Star Trek novel:
"We'll arm ourselves," Kirk told him without hesitation. "But how do we do it? What do we trade for the firearms?"
The Mercans must have some concept of money because of their planet-wide commerce. Kirk hadn't seen it. And he didn't have any of it.
Orun answered his question by taking them to a firearms shop. The Mercan selected four of the best weapons, complete with metal-cased cartridge ammunition and baldrics. Orun simply signed the chit.
"Who's paying for these?" Kirk still wanted to know. "The Guardians," Orun told him with a smile. "The
bankers will simply deduct the amount from the
Guardians' accounts and add the amount to the accounts of the shopkeeper."
"Don't you exchange symbols of value?"
"Why? The bankers keep the score."
"But suppose the Guardians won't permit the transfer of money for this?"
"Then they'll take it out of my account, and the bankers know my account identification from my traveler control . . . which is in the hands of the Guardians right now."
The Mercans thus revealed to Kirk another aspect of their culture that would ease their way into membership in the Federation.
The Mercans not only had the concept of money, but of credit or money that exists in the future.
Furthermore, they had computers capable of keeping track, and therefore needed no "hard money" such as gold.
Some computer technology would, of course, be a technical fallout of the traveler system . . . or a precedent of it.
-THE ABODE OF LIFE
This novel came out in 1982. While the first "debit card" was introduced in 1978 by Seattle First National Bank, it didn't go national until 1984 when Landmark created a nation-wide ATM network.
I remember reading this book and thinking what a kewl monetary system that would be.. :D
Once again, science fiction becomes science fact...
=========================
Michale
Chris,
"Why do you hate America?"
I think I may have responded too hastily. If you really hated America, you probably would've accused it of not hitting somebody with a hammer or drone.
But since you bring up the concept of the US lagging behind in cutting-edge technology.....
Why do you think that other countries have that edge??
Could it POSSIBLY be because of over-regulation...
That THAT might have SOMETHING to do with it??
Technology flourishes when pushed by market incentives and technology is stifled in an over-regulated environment..
Imagine what we could achieve if our "leaders" worked together instead of against each other...
Michale
"We had the tallest buildings in the world, the most impressive highway system, the best cars, the best war-fighting equipment, and the best of everything else. Our infrastructure was the envy of the rest of the world."
The particular genius of American Design and Technology has never emphasized building the best. When America actually built things for a living (for the sake of argument, pre-1980s) it built good quality stuff in massive quantities that allowed it to be sold relatively cheaply all around the world. This was particularly easy after WWII because the US economy was really the only one left standing.
While the USA did hold the tallest building record for a good while, German autobahns were built better and were better designed for safe high speed use, and if you had real money, you bought foreign cars for outstanding luxury or handling qualities. Until recently, US military equipment has rarely been THE BEST...arguably the P51 Mustang qualifies, the B29 certainly does, as do US frigates if you want to go back the 1812 or so. Hardly anybody would rate the M4 "Sherman" tank the best tank of WWII, but it was a war winning machine because it was good enough, outstandingly reliable and cleverly customized (mostly by the Brits who seem to excel at the art of the lash-up).As Stalin put it, quantity has its own quality. Or as somebody else put it God is on the side of the big battalions.
Today, the US does tend to build the best military equipment, in small batches, at high cost, and we lose wars. Ve are becoming Germans! The art of over engineering!
The USA still designs things people want, at affordable prices They just get made in China.
Back to tallest buildings. I saw a documentary on a record highest skyscraper being build in China. The floors were 6" out of spec with the ceiling by the time they got to the top and were putting in the HVAC stuff. Let's see how long it stays up.
Michale wrote:
"Why do you think that other countries have that edge??
Could it POSSIBLY be because of over-regulation...
That THAT might have SOMETHING to do with it??"
That's funny, because places like Europe, Canada and Japan, have MORE regulations than we do, not LESS. And they have HIGHER levels of technology, like high speed trains, credit cards with computer chips, more developed sources of wind and solar power, higher speed computer networks, etc. BECAUSE they are mandated by the government THROUGH MORE regulation, NOT less.
That's funny, because places like Europe, Canada and Japan, have MORE regulations than we do, not LESS.
I would argue that those countries don't have MORE regulation, they have DIFFERENT regulations...
And the regulations are designed to FURTHER technology, not impede it...
BECAUSE they are mandated by the government THROUGH MORE regulation,
No.. Thru DIFFERENT regulations. Regulations, as you yourself say, designed to ENHANCE the technology, not impede it..
Here in the US, the regulatory environment is designed to fulfill a partisan agenda, NOT enhance technology..
One only has to look at the EPA in the here and now to know that this is factual...
Michale
So the idea of "We're number one!" still resonates strongly across America, even when so demonstrably untrue.
They're talking about incarceration rate.
They're talking about incarceration rate.
I think you mean the criminality rate... :D
Michale
I am also constrained to point out that we have one political Party to thank for the high incarceration rate..
Can you guess which Party??
I'll give you a hint.. It has 3 syllables and begins with a 'D'.... :D
Michale
It's worth noting that US computer scientist and innovator Gene Amdahl died Tuesday. He played a major role in developing the IBM 360 series, among other things.
"Old computer scientists never die, they just cash in their chips."
Michale,
Could it POSSIBLY be because of over-regulation...
We're pretty much regulated here.
Try again.
We're pretty much regulated here.
Yes, but are you OVER-regulated...
THAT's the question...
Michale
LizM [1] -
Wasn't sure about Canada. Should have asked you before writing!
:-)
John From Censornati [2] -
Heh. I hate the wool being pulled over my eyes, that's all...
:-)
Michale [3] -
Yep, we've still got the biggest baddest military, I'll agree with you there. We ought to, we pay more than the other top 10 countries combined.
But please name me three other things we lead on. Hollywood movies don't count.
JFC [5] -
We swung for someone with a hammer and MISSED? Convene a congressional inquiry!
Heh.
Michale [6] -
Um, what? Europe's got more regulations than we do. And yet they're leading, on broadband, on high-speed rails, on credit cards, on many many things. So maybe more regulations mean more futuristic stuff?
Heh.
TheStig [7] -
Which came first, the autobahns or the Interstate Highway system? That was Eisenhower's baby, although (to be fair) he did design it so the US military could easily move around the country, should we ever be invaded.
You're right, though, after WWII, we did have the only economy left standing. That helped enormously.
I would also argue that the Cadillac was the standard of achievable luxury during the same period. As for military, well, we did put a man on the moon and led the world in nukes. Also, the SR-71 Blackbird, the coolest plane ever built.
John M [8] -
Exactly! Michale, you paying attention?
Michale [9] -
Um, yeah, except for, you know, reality. And the fact that Wall Street banks pretty much own large chunks of Congress.
TheStig [13] -
Isn't that "Computer programmers never die, they just enter an infinite loop"?
Heh.
-CW
Um, yeah, except for, you know, reality. And the fact that Wall Street banks pretty much own large chunks of Congress.
*AND* The Democrat Party POTUS candidate..
Don't forget that.. :D
Michale
Isn't that "Computer programmers never die, they just enter an infinite loop"?
I refer you to RD's recent Software Programmer joke..
I am doing it from memory cuz I am too lazy to look it up..
A mechanical engineer, an electrical engineer and a software programmer are all riding in a car when the car dies. The mechanical engineer says, "It might be a drive issue. I'll check the transmission. The electrical engineer says, "It might be an electrical issue. I'll check the fuse block. The software programmer says, "Why don't we all get out of the car and then get back in. See if that fixes the problem."
:D
As I said, it's RD's joke and I was relaying it from memory. Any errors are my own..
Michale
Um, what? Europe's got more regulations than we do. And yet they're leading, on broadband, on high-speed rails, on credit cards, on many many things. So maybe more regulations mean more futuristic stuff?
Not MORE regulation..
DIFFERENT regulations..
By and large Europeans are more pragmatic when it comes to regulating their industries..
The US imposes regulations to further a political agenda.. We have seen that time and time again..
In other countries, the regulations are designed to further the TECHNOLOGY...
Michale
Michale [17] -
Trust me, I have not forgotten.
[18] -
OK, that was pretty funny!
Here's a quote for you:
Paul returned to the garage, coiled the siphon hose in the glove compartment, and drove off. The car was hesitating again – catching and slowing, catching and slowing. At any rate, it took his mind momentarily from the inconvenient matter of the missing pistol. On the long grade past the golf course, the engine seemed to be hitting on no more than three cylinders, and a squad from the Reconstruction and Reclamation Corps, putting in a spruce windbreak to the north of the clubhouse, turned to watch the car’s enervated struggle with gravity.
“Hey! Headlamp’s busted,” called one of the men.
Paul nodded and smiled his thanks. The car faltered, and came to a stop, just short of the summit. Paul set his emergency brake and got out. He lifted the hood and tested various connections. Tools being laid against the side of the car made a clattering noise, and a half-dozen Reeks and Wrecks stuck their heads under the hood with his.
“It’s his plugs,” said a small, bright-eyed, Italian-looking man.
“Aaaaaaah, in a pig’s ass it’s his plugs,” said a tall, ruddy-faced man, the oldest of the group. “Lemme show you where the real trouble is. Here, that wrench, that’s the ticket.” He went to work on the fuel pump, soon had the top off of it. He pointed to the gasket beneath the cap. “There,” he said soberly, like an instructor in surgery, “there’s your trouble. Sucking air. I knew that the minute I heard you coming a mile off.”
“Well,” said Paul, “guess I’d better call somebody to come and get it. Probably take a week to order a new gasket.”
“Five minutes,” said the tall man. He took off his hat and, with an expression of satisfaction, ripped out the sweat-band. He took a penknife from his pocket, laid the cap of the fuel pump over the sweatband, and cut out a leather disk just the right size. Then he cut out the disk’s center, dropped the new gasket in place, and put the pump back together. The others watched eagerly, handed him tools, or offered to hand him tools, and tried to get into the operation wherever they could. One man scraped the green and white crystals from a battery connection. Another one went around tightening the valve caps on the tires.
“Now try her!” said the tall man.
Paul stepped on the starter, the motor caught, roared fast and slow without a miss as he pumped the accelerator. He looked up to see the profound satisfaction, the uplift of creativity, in the faces of the Reeks and Wrecks.
-Player Piano, Kurt Vonnegut, Jr.
There's a much deeper argument to make, here, about the whole "Reeks and Wrecks" thing, but I'll spare you for now. Just was reminded of it by your joke, that's all.
-CW
Michale [17] -
Trust me, I have not forgotten.
Everyone else has... :D
Paul stepped on the starter, the motor caught, roared fast and slow without a miss as he pumped the accelerator. He looked up to see the profound satisfaction, the uplift of creativity, in the faces of the Reeks and Wrecks.
-Player Piano, Kurt Vonnegut, Jr.
That WAS good.. :D
Michale
But please name me three other things we lead on. Hollywood movies don't count.
Why not?? If something as mundane as debit cards is OK, surely Movies/TV should count...
But also keep in mind one fact...
The US has lost the top spot in many areas in the last 7 years...
Now, what is significant about that??
Michale
CW-16
The autobahn was up and running in something similar to it's modern form by 1935.
The Cadillac was the achievable luxury of the well paid working class. Professionals aspired to a Mercedes, the wealthy to a Rolls Royce. If you wanted a genuine sports car you had to go foreign or build it yourself. I was there, as a 10 Y.O. rally navigator in balloon fender Jags, various Austins, Triumphs and Fiats.
You have great taste in aircraft! The SR-71 was way ahead of it's time and a good investment. The SR-71 was unpredictable, satellites aren't. I'd be surprised if a very secret high mach recon drone hasn't taken it's place.
The US moon program was sort of a collaboration between the US and Germany if catch my drift. "We aim for the stars, but sometimes we hit London."
You have great taste in aircraft! The SR-71 was way ahead of it's time and a good investment. The SR-71 was unpredictable, satellites aren't. I'd be surprised if a very secret high mach recon drone hasn't taken it's place.
I got to be up close and personal with the "Habu" while I was at Kadena AB... :D
Michale
Michale [21] -
Player Piano is going to get more and more relevant in the coming years. It was one of Vonnegut's first books, written in the (?) early 60s (or late 50s). The main theme is automation taking away everyone's good jobs. The government was forced to start up a Depression Era "CCC" program for all the displaced workers (the "Reeks and Wrecks"). Many sci-fi writers of the era wrote about what would happen when all the good manufacturing jobs went away. They seem prophetic now...
-CW
TheStig and Michale -
Saw the one in the Air & Space museum's annex -- way cool!
I loved that the military officially admitted it existed right before retiring it, so they could officially break all the air speed records. I think one flew coast to coast in something like 59 minutes.
Even to this day, nobody can touch that one...
-CW
My bad, the record was 67:54 (or 1:07:54), West Coast to East Coast.
:-)
-CW