Americans have mixed and paradoxical attitudes towards the health of innovation in the United States. There are strong, positive views, but overall sentiment nets out slightly more negative; Americans have concerns.

o

 The most strongly held negative view is that Americans are too easily seduced by shiny new things and ideas, which is the opinion of 79% of respondents—although more women than men saw things this way (81% vs. 76%).
o Almost as many thought the free-market system of the United States encourages inventiveness (69%)—even though the free-market system is arguably driven by Americans’ desire for shiny new things and ideas.
 

The mixed feelings continue:

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 A solid majority agrees that the United States has the right mix of factors to be the world leader in innovation through the 21st century (62%) and that the United States attracts the world’s innovators (62%).
o Yet almost as many (61%) are concerned that Americans are becoming complacent about innovation, and well over half (56%) think the rush for short-term returns stifles American innovation and that the United States is losing its edge in innovation (also 56%).
o While almost two thirds (62%) believe the United States has what it takes to be the world leader in innovation in the 21st century, less than half (41%) think that Americans are the most innovative people in the world.

Bullish on American innovation

Looking at agreement with the bullish statements about America and innovation:

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 Men were more bullish than women (average 61% vs. 53%).
o Across the age cohorts, the over-55s were the most bullish (59%) and the 35–54s were the least bullish (55%).
o Respondents who are interested in innovation are far more bullish than those who aren’t (64% vs. 50%).

Bearish on American innovation

Looking at agreement with the bearish statements about America and innovation:

o

 Men agree more than women with the bearish statements (average 66% vs. 59%).
o The over-55s agree more than the 18–34s (67% vs. 61%).
o Those interested in innovation agree much more than those who aren’t interested (69% vs. 58%).

Balance of sentiment

By comparing the average agreement with bullish statements with the average agreement with bearish statements, it seems that, overall for all the subgroups, sentiment nets out more bearish than bullish:

o

 Men are slightly less bearish than women (5% net vs. 6% net).
o Bearishness increases through the age cohorts (4%, 7% and 8% net).
o Respondents interested in innovation are less bearish than those who aren’t (5% vs. 8%).
o Men are more extreme than women in their views both on the bullish side (average 61% vs. 53%) and on the bearish side (66% vs. 59%).
o Those interested in innovation have more extreme views than those not interested, both on the bullish side (average 64% vs. 50%) and on the bearish side (69% vs. 58%).