I’m from Michigan. Once upon a time, we supplied the world with cars. Detroit had more marketshare on autos than the color brown has on shit. But then, we got complacent. Innovative companies in Asia and Europe began producing better cars, more efficient cars, the cars people wanted. American companies in Detroit scoffed at these little upstarts,and seemed to be afraid of innovating or being creative in any regard. As their profits declined, their reputations went right along for the ride.

Italians may have invented espresso, but as has already been noted here, their performances against the rest of the world have been…well, unimpressive to say the least. The last time Italy had a competitor in the final six at the World Barista Championships was 2002. Last year, the Italian competitor placed 42nd (out of 51), while Mike Philips, from Chicago, placed 3rd. And the last time Mr. Milos himself competed, (where the American competitor placed 8th) he placed 27th, out of 50. Bottom 50 percent, or what English teachers would call an “F”.

Competitions aren’t everything, fair enough, but the arrogance of Italian coffee has a common counterpart in Detroit’s auto industry.