You might have seen the ad in The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, or other newspapers. It shows a globe suspended above a sheet of math formulas, and and asks, "Where in the world will the next big idea come from?" The page is signed by more than 140 educators, executives, and politicians who fear that the US is losing its competitive edge when it comes to science and technology.

They're calling for "increased investments in basic research, improved math and science education, incentives for research and development, and policies to attract and retain the world's brightest minds."

And they're hoping that their ad will have some traction in the wake of the President's State of the Union address and his proposed 2007 budget.

How do we know if we're slipping? A good question. The Council on Competitiveness analyzes many indicators and puts out reports.

What do you think? Are you a scientist or an educator? What trends are you seeing?