Chapter 63: The Industrial Revolution and the Pioneer Trap
Li Qiwei responded quickly and solved tricky questions from three different majors, making everyone put aside their contempt.
No one dares to underestimate the Qing man on the podium. He is not only extremely talented in the field of physics, but also has quick thinking and sharp logic in other directions.
Li Qiwei's aloof eyes swept across the classroom, and he wanted to see what other monsters were about to jump out.
At this time, a middle-aged man sitting in the front row suddenly stood up and said: "Bruce Lee, hello, I am a professor of the History Department of Cambridge University."
Suddenly there were whispers in the audience, and Dean Sanders also looked displeased. Why did even Cambridge's own people come out to cause trouble?
Sure enough, the other party had bad intentions and continued: "I have been thinking about a question when I was studying the history of the East and the West."
"Why did the period from the 1860s to the 1840s In the 1860s, the first industrial revolution represented by the steam engine occurred in the United Kingdom, not the Qing Dynasty? ”
“Why did the second industrial revolution represented by electricity, internal combustion engines, and petroleum begin in the 1860s? The Industrial Revolution continued to occur in Europe and the United States, not in the Qing Dynasty? "
"Does this mean that the European system is more advanced and reasonable than the East, so it is suitable for the germination and development of science. "
"For example, Bruce Lee yourself, since you came to Cambridge, in just a few years, you have gone from an ordinary Qing man to a famous young physicist now."
"You think Was it the fertile soil of science that nurtured you?”
“You said you picked up the light of truth, but can it really shine on the land where you were born?”
“ Can you continue to achieve new achievements after you go back?"
After the question was finished, everyone in the classroom was stunned. These three consecutive questions were so stressful that it was difficult to resist.
At the same time, they all felt a sense of pride and superiority.
The great industrial revolution happened in the great Britain because they had excellent systems and excellent talents.
As for He Yujie and the other three, their expressions were twisted and gloomy, almost dripping with water. These foreign noses were simply too deceiving.
They looked at Li Qiwei expectantly, hoping that he could resolve this difficulty as easily as before, and at the same time, they also wanted to get an answer in their hearts.
Will Project Spark really go smoothly? Can China really rise?
Li Qiwei had a clear view of everyone's expressions. He was not angry because of this question, and he was not prepared to prevaricate.
He first smiled faintly, then looked directly at the history professor, and said: "I believe you can analyze dozens of papers on why the Industrial Revolution happened in the UK."
"But in summary, it is nothing more than the following points."
"First, there are many countries in Europe and there is no unified environment, so the environment is loose, without various restrictions, very free, and science sprouts. ”
“Second, the Great Navigation hopes to determine the route through calculation, so that people’s demands for science will continue to increase, thus accelerating the development of science.”
"Third, great men descended from heaven, single-handedly, directly raised science to incredible heights, providing theoretical foundations for various subsequent inventions."
"Fourth, globalization has allowed goods from all over the world to It can be traded freely, the existing production efficiency cannot meet the sharply expanding market demand, the pursuit of wealth has promoted the enthusiasm for invention, and various machines have emerged."
"Of course, there are many other reasons, you. We can conclude more.”
“But these are all inferences from effects to causes. There is an old saying in China: Hindsight is the best thing to say. It means that it is ridiculous to look for the reasons after something has happened. "
"Why do you say that? Because China has met all the above conditions, but it still has not developed today's science. "
"Our country has had princes vying for hegemony, it has had to design water conservancy canals and other facilities, there have been amazingly talented people, and many countries have come to Korea to do business with the world."
"Why? The same foundation, but different places, produce different results.”
“The reason is simple, that’s because the industrial revolution happened because of luck!”
“That’s right, it’s just pure luck. Luck.”
Wow!
Now everyone in the classroom couldn't sit still. The great industrial revolution transformed Britain from a small maritime country into the empire on which the sun never sets.
The country has a land area of more than 30 million square kilometers, accounting for a quarter of the world's landmass; and a population of nearly 400 million, accounting for a quarter of the total population.
Now, some people actually say that everything in Britain depends on luck.
Unacceptable to anyone.
The audience was immediately indignant, and the history professor shook his head slightly and sighed, apparently thinking that Li Qiwei's answer was just sensationalism.
Even Professors Sanders and Case were in a dilemma, and they could not accept this view emotionally.
Li Qiwei didn't care about all the clamor and raised his voice and said: "Don't be so quick to get angry. Doesn't what I said just prove that Britain is a place favored by God?"
When everyone heard it, it seemed that it was true. This is the truth, but he still hasn't given up his anger towards Li Qiwei.
He continued: "The biggest problem with science and technology is that it is easy to copy and has the first-mover trap."
"Don't you know that just this year, the economic strength of the United States on the other side of the ocean has surpassed that of the United Kingdom."
"The United States is a very new country, even born after the first industrial revolution. Then why can its strength catch up quickly? "
"It's because it replicates all the British technology in a very short time and with extremely high efficiency, quickly widening the gap."
"The United States has 76 million people, while the United Kingdom has only 40 million people. The population in the colonies has no effect on the development of science and technology."
"With its huge population advantage, the United States will one day surpass the United Kingdom."
"As for the so-called pioneer trap, take the steam engine as an example. During its invention, countless British engineers spent a lot of time improving it to perfection. It will never be able to go further in the future."
"And the United States does not need it. After taking these detours, it can just choose the best improved version, and it will be on the same scientific level as the UK in an instant, so the gap will be narrowed in a short time."
Hearing this, everyone present. Silly again, they seemed to feel something terrible, because what Li Qiwei said was so right.
Especially the first mover trap makes people realize the seriousness of the problem.
Then, Li Qiwei said: "So, even if we in China are temporarily lagging behind, as long as God can favor us once, we will be able to rise and step into the path of the industrial revolution before the forerunner trap is resolved."
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"The United States needs 100 years to catch up, and we only need 20 years, because our population is 400 million, which is more than the population of all the British colonies combined."
"So, if you continue to be immersed in the birth of In the glory of the Industrial Revolution, sooner or later, those latecomers will rise up on Britain's heels."
"Now, professor, I can answer your question."
"First, I admit that it was Britain that brought me scientific knowledge. "
"Second, when I go back, these technologies will spring up like mushrooms after rain, producing countless cars, ships, guns, etc. ”
"Third, the world is a reincarnation. Sooner or later, China will be like the UK and become the first country to encounter the forerunner trap."
"At that time, maybe you, the UK, will catch up with China. It’s a great moment.”
Boom!
Everyone in the classroom suddenly took a breath of air.
Li Qiwei's description is really horrifying, but it is irrefutable, as if it is something that will definitely happen in the future.
At this moment, everyone looked at him differently, with admiration. For a foreigner to say such words, it was considered extremely benevolent.
At the same time, Li Qiwei’s last heroic words made people feel extremely domineering.
Lao Xu is very grateful to everyone for your monthly votes and recommendation votes, and thank you for your continued support. I will think more carefully about the plot behind it so that everyone can enjoy it.
(End of this chapter)