Editorial

Seeing the contentiousness accompanying recent rounds of multilateral trade and economic discussions, we could become pessimistic and conclude that competition is by nature divisive and damaging. However, there are counter-trends that point to a more optimistic future.

For example, in June of this year NTT entered into negotiations with AT&T and Apple Computer to harmonize their development work in multimedia, laying the groundwork for the seamless integration of voice, image and data information. Last year, Toshiba, IBM and Siemens joined efforts to develop new generations of dynamic memory chips. The proliferation of such business alliances and joint development projects is the latest rage in the corporate world, promising an exciting era where both competition and cooperation simultaneously and jointly push technological progress.

Although this trend may be a new phenomenon in the business world, it is certainly familiar ground to those of us involved in science. In the scientific enterprise, competition and cooperation work in tandem to advance the frontiers of knowledge. The competition between rivals adds that extra incentive to push forward. Cooperation is evident not only in the exchanges of information in the scientific literature, at international conferences, or via electronic mail, but also in innumerable collaborative projects. Often dramatic new results spring from such joint efforts.

With this optimistic vision of competition and cooperation in mind, we urge the continued growth of the cooperative spirit throughout the NTT scientific community. With it, we can expand our collective activities and increase our contributions to science, technology, and society.

Global News
The NTT International Researcher's Newsletter

Editorial Board: John Canning, Arturo Chavez-Pirson, Stephen Friberg, Eduardo Vera

Global News is published independently by the International Researchers of the NTT Research and Development Centers with the support of NTT Basic Research Laboratories. This newsletter is not intended for general distribution, but for the private use of current and former NTT researchers in support of their activities. The editorial board is not responsible for the accuracy of the information that appears in this newsletter.

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Global News, Editorial Board
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