Now here is something you don't see every day!

Has America Outsourced High Tech to India?

For some time now, I've had a growing concern that America is in the process of outsourcing it's high tech industry to India, China and some of the Baltic countries. More and more of the jobs are going into these regions. While US corporate executives and high-tech companies get rich (at least for now) for outsourcing, many US high-tech workers are out of jobs because those jobs are now overseas. Beyond that, many of the US companies have a practice of hiring developers from India to work here in the US on H1B1 visas. Over time, many of those workers return to India where their money will go further thus creating a brain drain effect. This process has been going on for the last 30 years but now at a much more accelerated rate. The talent and experience is being developed elsewhere little by little.

Beyond just the general fears, I read the following article entitled Outsourcing CEO Says American Grads Are "Unemployable" which was published in Inside Tech today. While I realize that a large part of what is being outsourced to companies like HCL is more low-skill IT work, I can not help to think of all of the American companies that have development centers in Bangalore, Pune and Hydrabad where they work on parts of the core technology stacks. This is disturbing, to say the least, and reckless over the long haul as India and China build their high-tech infrastructure to compete with the US.

The US auto market will be under more pressure soon from cars that are designed and manufactured in India....

Look...

Before you say a word, ask yourself 3 questions...

Next time you hear or are about to go along what person telling you a rumor, gossip, innuendo, or insinuations, wants you to act like against another person, keep this ancient Greek story in mind.

In ancient Greece, Socrates was widely lauded for his wisdom.  One day the great philosopher came upon an acquaintance, who ran up to him excitedly and said, "Socrates, do you know what I just heard about one of your students?"

"Wait a moment," Socrates replied.  "Before you tell me.  I'd like you to pass a little test.  It's called the the Test of Three".

"Test of Three?"

"That's correct," Socrates continued.

"Before you talk to me about my student, let's take a moment to test what you're going to say.  The first test is truth.  Have you made absolutely sure that what you are abut to tell me is true?"

"No," the man replied.  :actually I just heard it."

"All right," said Socrates.  "So you don't really know if it's true or not.  Now let's try the second test, the test Goodness.  Is what you are about to tell me about my student something good?"

"No, on the contrary..."

"So," Socrates continued, "you want to tell me something bad about him even though you're not certain it's true?"

The man shrugged, a little embarrassed.

Socrates continued, "You may still pass though because there is a third test - the filter of Usefulness.  Is what you want to tell me about my student going to be useful to me?"

"Well," concluded Socrates, "if what you want to tell me is neither True nor Good nor even Useful, why tell it to me at all?"

The man was defeated and ashamed and said no more.

Day 3: 184.8 lbs!

OK, so now I know I can lose another 5 lbs in 2 weeks - no problem. Let's reset this goal... let's shoot for 175 lbs by the time the cruise starts.... that should make things interesting. Amyone want to take any bets?

I'm sticking to my meal plan pretty well. Tonight was an exception since it is Friday night. I had a couple of glasses of wine *and* dessert! Blueberry coffee cake from the chef of the Savory Bite! Now that is worth blowing a diet for :)

I am also sticking to my riding plan. I rode every day this week - at least 20 miles. I did miss yesterday because the day took over before I could get my ride in but today I did 30 miles to compensate somewhat. The end result is still positive - 5 lbs in 3 days. And yes, I am drinking lots of water!

I am thinking I need a double-double though :)