This article is oblivious to the actual problems with our current, badly broken immigration regime, that desperately needs reform. A major aspect is that we allow foreign students to come here to study, and then refuse to allow them to stay once they've graduated. We are also extremely restrictive and inhospitable toward well-educated and talented foreigners who want to come here legally to work. This is just suicidally insane and hurts our economy by denying companies the talent they need. The Economist Magazine recently pointed out that the kinds of immigrants in question are important components in the business start-up picture, and in the last decade American small business start-ups have stalled markedly. Keeping these people out hurts job creation and, again, is just a suicidally insane policy.

Those interested in Ridley's very good book might also wish to know about another one, THE CASE FOR RATIONAL OPTIMISM (Transaction Books, Rutgers University, 2009), which makes quite similar points and arguments, but develops the case for optimism over a rather broader range of subject areas. See http://www.fsrcoin.com/k.htm

Regarding infant mortality, be very very careful about statistics, it depends a lot on how you count. The US has a seemingly high number in part because of counting preemies; other countries get their numbers down by not counting them.
Regarding Cuba -- all I can say is Go live there.
Those interested in Ridley's very good book might also wish to know about another one, THE CASE FOR RATIONAL OPTIMISM (Transaction Books, Rutgers University, 2009), which makes quite similar points and arguments, but develops the case for optimism over a rather broader range of subject areas. See http://www.fsrcoin.com/k.htm