Eswar Prasad

I worry a great deal, Scott.

You know, I've benefited enormously from all that this country has had to offer me, and I've built a wonderful career and a family here.

I fear that America is no longer seen as the Lord Star, that the best and the brightest around the world

look to as a place where they can come develop their skills and contribute to society, to the economy, and so forth.

There is a sense that the U.S.

has become much more hostile, not just to foreign labor, but even to foreign intellects, people with enormous drive.

who in many cases come here, build carriers and then go back to their home countries, thereby enriching the U.S., but also their home countries.

And I fear that it makes America a much less rich place, not just economically, but also culturally and in terms of the perspectives we bring to bear.

I mean, this is seen as the country where you can start with nothing.

You know, I literally came to the

US with about $600 in my pocket.

And this is where you can build something out of that.

And that sense, I think, is quickly receding.

You know, people are looking to other parts of the world.

They're looking to universities elsewhere.

And I think our universities are still by far those that set the standard for the rest of the world.

But we cannot count on that.

with a sense of complacency.

And I think that advantage is fast eroding.

And it also affects how we see the rest of the world.