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ArishMell · 70-79, M
Were these AP members American journalists? If US reporters cannot ask their own President questions, what of overseas ones?
With the radio on in the background, by sheer chance just as I typed that, BBC Radio Four's Inside Science programme started. This reports on science news from around the world, and normally covers research results. Its lead story this evening instead was the news of dozens of US research bodies now wondering if or how their work, even medical research, will continue in the wake of some of the President's actions or intentions. Many are going to Court to try to protect their work - and of course their livelihoods.
I think another knock-on effect could be international research collaborations becoming very insecure, and even harm to US science's reputation generally.
With the radio on in the background, by sheer chance just as I typed that, BBC Radio Four's Inside Science programme started. This reports on science news from around the world, and normally covers research results. Its lead story this evening instead was the news of dozens of US research bodies now wondering if or how their work, even medical research, will continue in the wake of some of the President's actions or intentions. Many are going to Court to try to protect their work - and of course their livelihoods.
I think another knock-on effect could be international research collaborations becoming very insecure, and even harm to US science's reputation generally.
ArishMell · 70-79, M
@JimboSaturn I'm not sure it's quite that political. More likely just blunt budget-cutting by a President who does not understand science and does not know value from cost.
One might imagine Elon Musk would object but perhaps it's in his interest not to. He employees his own R&D staff, and relies heavily on NASA. I don't think Musk is a chartered scientist or engineer, either, though. He's the entrepeneur who pays others to be those.
One might imagine Elon Musk would object but perhaps it's in his interest not to. He employees his own R&D staff, and relies heavily on NASA. I don't think Musk is a chartered scientist or engineer, either, though. He's the entrepeneur who pays others to be those.
JimboSaturn · 56-60, M
@ArishMell Yes you are right, they just don't see the value in research if it is not apparent it will yield profits in the near future. Of course NASA won't be cut with the same vigour as other departments.
ArishMell · 70-79, M
@JimboSaturn We have had years of cost-saving cuts and sell-offs to public services in the UK, under both Conservative and Labour governments, but nothing as rapid, brutal and destructive as Messrs. T & M's policies.
The main effect was slashing the Scientific Civil Service under the belief that it would be cheaper and more efficient to have the work done commercially and in universities. It isn't of course, in the UK at least, because qualified people's salaries, hence their pension contributions and employment taxes, tend to be higher in private industry, which also adds its profit element to the running-costs.
The main effect was slashing the Scientific Civil Service under the belief that it would be cheaper and more efficient to have the work done commercially and in universities. It isn't of course, in the UK at least, because qualified people's salaries, hence their pension contributions and employment taxes, tend to be higher in private industry, which also adds its profit element to the running-costs.