M out.

You can get more where that came from, on my blog, or by following me on Twitter.com at @smihaialex

Congrats on the article man – it’s really good.

@Ciprian A and Ciprian G:

You’ve both got valid arguments and there’s no point in discussing whether or not one is more accurate than the other.

My take on this is that:
1. There are great things made in Romania, by Romanians in between 105 and 1905, the problem is that we as a nation most likely don’t know about them and that’s the main cause of our inferiority complex.

2. People who chose to make things happen, are usually driven by recognition. Lack of recognition leeds to lack of interest and lack of interest kills all dreams. It kills innovation.

3. In most civilized societies which have contributed to making this world better in some way, if you move a brick 5 centimeters further, and in doing so improve something:
- you get public recognition
- you receive financial compensation
- you get to be part of history books
- you get TV appearances and a book or movie deal

In Romania, there’s nothing you can do, short of finding the cure to cancer that would get such a reaction. Such an encouragement.

So yes, the context does matter. We don’t have an elite. Our true elite is now their elite. And it is so because, we didn’t value it enough while it was still our elite. The best people I know are doing great things at Nissan in Canada, at Microsoft in Denmark, Ireland or the US, taking part in MIT projects in the US, help build brands, products and services in France, Belgium, Germany and the Netherlands.

Are they contributing to the world’s greatness? I think so. Are they doing it in Romania’s name? Definitely no.

But the true question is not what are they doing, but what are you doing?

When was the last time you sat down with somebody and told them they’re great?

When was the last time you’ve invested resources (time if any) in someone other than yourself?

When was the last time you did something great?

Totuşi, în multe domenii avem mai mult decât ne-ar trebui pentru a obţine rezultate remarcabile şi totuşi nu o facem.

Ce incerc sa spun este ca uneori nu e suficienta vointa sau capacitatea intelectuala, fizica sau de orice fel, conteaza destul de mult si mediul in care vrei sa faci performanta si pe cine ai alaturi.

Asta daca ne gandim la nivel de individ. La nivel de societate avem cu siguranta suficiente resurse pentru a obtine rezultate remarcabile, doar ca nu exista interes si daruire.