The World Is Flat and rote learning

There is a large discussion going on about rote learning. In the World Is Flat there is a quote from Bill Gates that is interesting.
"When I asked Bill Gates about the supposed American education advantage-an education that stresses creativity, not rote learning-he was utterly dismissive. In his view, those who think that the more rote learning systems of China and Japan can't turn out innovators who can compete with Americans are sadly mistaken. Said Gates "I have never met the guy who doesn't know how to multiply who created software..."

I think there are two different issues here. Learning without a purpose or an application, or without a sense of meaning, really undermines application of the lessons. Just saying 2+2=4 without thinking with the tool or applying the tool is fake learning. When I teach Excel I want people to care about what they are learning, if there is not a purpose or reason to learn the skills then they will atrophy. Not learning the skill and just having the "feeling for math" is also fake learning. Hoping for an ad-hoc appearance of the skill when the situation requires it will not work. Learning is hard work, but it is not hard work alone, it is also being committed to and enjoying the subject, being preoccupied with the subject. Innovation is created by an emotional preoccupation with the subject. At least at the American high school level, the emotional commitment to the subject is marginal. Passion and skill, combined with hard work, is necessary for innovation.