looks like we are heading to nowhere despite 100+ posts.. sid, i believe what haddock said is correct. if there was some "shrestha" in place of faraday, probably he would do the same (well...almost )what michael faraday did. its the opportunity and enviroment you are bestowed with that matters. but you cannot take anything away from michael for his discovery. it takes a lot from a person to contribute to the human civilization that too in that magnitude. one thing that should be understood is US have the oldest and most refined form of democracy. no other countries have that much luxury of freedom that US have. that makes a huge difference. and probably that took them ahead from most others. its good that they have conducive envionments for progress but their success should be attributed to their discipline, shrewdness and responsible approach. Yes, opportunities were created in west first so they were lucky in that sense, but you got to cash them. whites did. full marks to them! i don't mind if somebody comes up here and tag my views as "slave attitude" . but it will take years for china to overcome US. let's imagine whites lining up in front of chinese embassy for visa to work in US. unless china develops democratic environment where they CAN welcome immigrants to serve their country as their own, that's not gonna happen. forget the economic prosperity they have.