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On the Risks Associated With Investment Plateau in Government Research and Development

groza learning center_educationThe United States, for the first time in several decades, will soon fall behind other countries in terms of the dollars invested in research and development. This includes research and development across all industries, including, perhaps most notably, technology as well as education.

As the Groza Learning Center has repeatedly pointed out when discussing its approach to education, the innovative strategies they have implemented to such an impressive degree of success stem from a continued commitment to research and development. Even though the government of the United States has become increasingly known for its partisan divides and general inability to reach almost any agreement that extends across the political aisle, the issue of continued investment in research and development is one of the few that can be legitimately referred to as entirely bipartisan.

If there is any argument to be made against increased investment in government research and development, it is that the private sectoris more than capable of driving innovation without requiring vast amounts of taxpayer dollars to do so.Some calling for a reduction in government spending on technological research and development might even make reference to the many impressive technologies that have come out of the private sector in recent years, citing, perhaps, the iPhone as an example. A supporter of continued and robust government investment would easily counter that argument by noting that most of the technology undergirding the iPhone — GPS, computer networking, microchips and Siri, for example — were all the direct result of government research and development.

Stuart Lyall Details Strategies for Planning a Vacation to Australia

Stuart Lyall is one of the most respected travel planners around and has shared his travel expertise with vacationers heading to destinations both far and wide. A native of Australia who is also known for his deep knowledge of Asia’s best travel destinations, Lyall took some time away from his busy professional schedule to share some advice on how to plan the perfect vacation to Australia.

“Know Thyself”

According to Stuart Lyall, many first-time visitors fall into a fairly predictable pattern and visit all of the places in Australia that everyone always visits. While most visitors enjoy these destinations and certainly do not regret targeting them as a part of their travel plan, Lyall pointed out that it is simply more ideal to try to individualize a travel plan based on the unique interests of the traveler. This will require some fairly in-depth research in the early stages of the vacation planning process, but the effort is often entirely worthwhile and ensures that travelers are able to experience the best possible version of Australia.

Adopt a Relatively Broad Planning Focus

Stuart has often noted the value of retaining some flexibility while creating a travel plan, and he prefers to create a relatively loose outline that provides enough structure that time is not likely to be wasted but also gives travelers the option to make changes on the fly or to act spontaneously when appropriate. Of course, Stuart Lyall also pointed out that some travelers prefer more structure than others, so he often focuses on a balanced approach to planning that takes the personal preferences of the traveler into consideration.

Focus on Quality of the Experience, Not the Quantity

Many travelers make the mistake of trying to squeeze as many experiences as possible into a relatively short timeframe. Stuart counsels his travel clients that the quality of the experience is what matters most, and taking the time to truly enjoy an experience is far better than rushing from one place to another in the interest of doing as much as possible. It would be best to plan for a lengthy stay in Australia to really get a full sense of everything the country has to offer, but that is not always practical. In those circumstances, Stuart suggests identifying just a few places or activities that can be enjoyed without being cut short by other plans.