Hoping for More Happy Talk

Jeff Thredgold only does this twice a year.  We need more "Happy Talk" postings from Jeff, but we'll take what we can get.

His latest version of Happy Talk includes a repeat or two (Men’s contribution to housework has doubled over the past 40 years, while their time spent on child care has tripled.) but it's the new happy stuff that I really liked.

Here's a few tidbits from the Tea Leaf intermingled with my parenthetical commentary:

• The U.S. accounted for 34% of the funds spent globally on research & development during 2010. (Another reason for STEM education in my book.)

• Roughly 47% of science and engineering degrees of those ages 25 to 39 are held by women, compared with 21% among those 65 and older.  (If we're going to keep R&D high, we need more scientists and engineers.)

• The country’s net petroleum imports peaked at 60.3% in 2005 and dropped to 49.3% in 2010.  (On our way to energy independence, unless some politicians get in the way of it.)

• America produces more steel today than 30 years ago, despite the shuttered plants and slimmed-down work force.  (We should be proud of this.  It speaks to innovation and productivity.)

• A record 85% of adults over age 25 now have at least a high school diploma, versus 24% in 1940.  (Another great trend.)

Thanks, Jeff.  I'm feeling better this morning, and I haven't even had my coffee yet.