The keynote address from the proceedings of the 1988 Conference on Academic Talent is presented here. The address criticizes the current educational system for its concentration on college preparatory courses that have little or no hands-on experience. It argues that the existing system does not encourage curiosity, a problem seen as so pervasive that it needs to be examined from a vertical integration or systems engineering point of view. Increasing interest in the area of science and technology education has recently been evidenced by several professional groups, which may lead to such an examination. Reactions of two discussants are appended. Frances Degen Horowitz highlights the need for a national policy which commits sufficient resources to develop the talents of children, and a policy which overrides some local, community control issues. William Anlyan notes the importance of looking to the free enterprise system in addition to government for help with the problem of developing academic talent, comments on the growing laziness of the United States as a nation, and supports the recognition of nontraditional forms of talent. (JDD)