Media and Technology

The Doomsday Clock is ticking down

As reported by Associated Press, G&M, June 19, 2013, A17, “Chinese supercomputer outstrips global competition”, China is the world leader in computer technology!

On Monday, the internationally recognized TOP500 listed the Tianhe-2 supercomputer – developed by the National University of Defense Technology at Changsha city -- as by far the fasted computer ever built.

It is twice as fast as the quickest U.S. computer, the Titan, and faster than Japans’ K computer that was the world leader just months ago.

Since 2010, the competition for fastest – i.e. smartest and best – computer has been a two way race between China and Japan; with the U.S. and Europe nowhere in sight.

·         As the article notes, the Tisnhe-2 is a totally Chinese product except for an Intel component.

·         It highlights China’s technological progress and future world leadership.

·         And it is also noteworthy that the creative team is at a Chinese MILITARY college!!!

 

So, should the United States and Europe be nervous?   Should they rev up their computer wizes to match and outdo China and japan’s best, or has the leadership in technology the West has relished for centuries come to a tipping point and decline?

Steve Jobs is dead; Bill Gates has retired, as have the wunderkind that created RIM and the Blackberry.

China’s Lenovo bought out IBM’s computer hardware business decades ago.

 

The Doomsday Clock for Western ascendancy is ticking down.

I would guess we are now at 15 minutes to midnight.