[ocaml-biz] the gloom and doom that is French

[Martin Jambon]

On Fri, 27 Aug 2004, Brandon J. Van Every wrote:

> Martin Jambon wrote:
> >
> > Let me explain my point of view about the situation in France:
> > France, especially in the few past years, is truly afraid of
> > any technological innovation and simply does not believe in progress.
> > This environment makes it very difficult to build a new technology
> > and make it successful.
>
> Ok, leaving OCaml aside, can you give us some specifics on why the
> French computer industry is this way?

It is not especially related to the computer industry.

>  Or are you painting France with
> too wide a brush?

Yes, I am talking about the "French environment", i.e. what everyone who
lives in France and has a minimum contact with the society
experiences (things like watching TV, or working among French, or just
talking with people that you could meet in the street).
It is just a general feeling, nothing rational. This is why it is
difficult to give examples if you don't live in France (I could talk
about Jos? Bov?, Nicolas Sarkozy or Lionel Jospin who all illustrate
interesting aspects of today's social climate in France).


>  Is there any corner of French industry that's
> actually innovative, willing to take risk, seeking competitive
> advantage, and thus potentially useful as an OCaml guinea pig?

Yes, but we must find them! (so this is a speculative 'yes')

Maybe there are some companies that promote a culture of innovation, but
they are probably subject to a strong external pressure and in my opinion
must be either small or a small unit of a big international company.
At least, normal people only hear about them once they do not need
innovation anymore.

Finding such opportunities for OCaml seems to require a dedicated
*mission* in France (or wherever you want). It requires:
- an attractive product to offer (we are working on it)
- presence on the battlefield (companies and future companies)
- being able to investigate in every field where computers may be useful (!)
- money (at least to pay for this job)

I highlight the word 'mission', because this is really the kind of work
that has to be performed.
(def.: http://www.hyperdictionary.com/search.aspx?define=mission)


Martin