Roger Huffadine

Worcester UK

Retired [again]

I agree absolutely - add to this argument the role of interactive computer games, TV & a lack of parental stimulation and kids stand no chance.
Ten years ago I was trying to talk to my own [highly intelligent] software developers about design, failure mechanisms and robustness. To illustrate my point I asked how many of them had played cowboys and indians and built a wigwam out of garden canes and an old sheet - blank looks all round.
None of them had tried, failed, redesigned, improved and ended up with a half stable structure - it was then that I realised why I was having to talk to them about design robustness and failures.
Shockingly we now live in such a stimulus free, risk averse society that we have snuffed out innovation - we even have TV programs like dragons den that exhibit individuals with little common sense and less imagination in the name of entertainment.
Ah well, it doesn't really matter 'cos red tape, offshoreing, and raw greed have annihilated the UK manufacturing base.