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Innovation works very differently in China, where the culture promotes collectivism. It's far more encouraged to copy and build upon the work of others, so I think it'll be good for progress.

Two detailed articles explaining this:

http://www.bunniestudios.com/blog/?p=284

http://www.bunniestudios.com/blog/?p=4297



Copying doesn't really encourage progress, because nobody wants to be the one to spend millions (or billions) in R and D (while the rest spend $0).

I don't know any brand off the top of my head from China that is top-quality. Most are blatent, cheap, ripoffs of better brands.


because nobody wants to be the one to spend millions (or billions) in R and D (while the rest spend $0).

They spend only enough to get ahead of their competitors, which is why I said it's a completely different model. Progress happens more incrementally.


https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=11001640


It seems clear to me that Lego's introduction of underside tubes that allowed for much greater connectivity was the crucial innovation.

Also, this is only an example of copying relatively primitive designs, not expensive R&D.


Is this supposed to be the one example to prove me wrong? ...it's an exception to the rule.


That's why there's no tech being produced or improved in China, right? :P


besides the technology to censor people at a grand scale, what piece of technology was invented in China that hasn't been ripped off from another company in another country?

I've been to China many times over the years for business and I haven't seen anything revolutionary.

China's lax IP laws will only get them so far. If they want to actually become a real tech. center, they need to have protections in place for inventors/companies (and actually enforce them).

The other problem is government corruption, but this is for another discussion entirely.


How much tech in America isnt a knockoff or rehash of some other tech? By your standard, most American "innovation" or IT doesnt count either.


Xiaomi




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