World's scientists call on Stephen Harper to restore science funding, freedom

Tecumsehsbones

Hall of Fame Member
Mar 18, 2013
60,458
9,591
113
Washington DC
You mean like curing cancer as opposed to studying the mating habits of Brazilian mosquitos?
Or creating warm, dry, safe, healthy places for people as opposed to speculating on the whichness of what or the subtle difference between zero and nothing?

That's the bias I'm talking about.
 

mentalfloss

Prickly Curmudgeon Smiter
Jun 28, 2010
39,817
471
83
First off, you may recall I used the word "might".

It is entirely possible that the aims of the research are not compromised by the motivation for profit.


That being said, private industry at it's core is motivated by profit, which means that whatever drives that successful business takes precedence over other activities.
 

Tecumsehsbones

Hall of Fame Member
Mar 18, 2013
60,458
9,591
113
Washington DC
First off, you may recall I used the word "might".

It is entirely possible that the aims of the research are not compromised by the motivation for profit.


That being said, private industry at it's core is motivated by profit, which means that whatever drives that successful business takes precedence over other activities.
Yeah, it would be immoral to provide people what they want and are willing to pay for. The moral choice is to extort money from them and give it to people doing things they're not interested in.
 

EagleSmack

Hall of Fame Member
Feb 16, 2005
44,168
96
48
USA
Read an article about this same issue in the U.S.

Scientists who receive federal grants are quite upset that their research is being scrutinized by evil Republicans. They believe they should not have to explain their research to people who do not understand and that any inquiries is a waste of tax payer money.

"Just give us the money and get lost!"


Arrogant F*ers.
 

mentalfloss

Prickly Curmudgeon Smiter
Jun 28, 2010
39,817
471
83
No I believe that there should be a fair amount of funding allocated and effective transparency measures in place so that we can have accurate research at a reasonable cost.
 

Tecumsehsbones

Hall of Fame Member
Mar 18, 2013
60,458
9,591
113
Washington DC
Read an article about this same issue in the U.S.

Scientists who receive federal grants are quite upset that their research is being scrutinized by evil Republicans. They believe they should not have to explain their research to people who do not understand and that any inquiries is a waste of tax payer money.

"Just give us the money and get lost!"


Arrogant F*ers.
I've got no problem with funding pure research. As I said, the damndest things tend to produce the next revolution. I just ain't real fond of people who assign moral value to "pure" research and sneer at the practical stuff that's extended our lives, health, comfort, and power. Stuff like electricity, materials science, medicine, and engineering.

One engineer is worth every politician, preacher, lawyer, and pundit who ever lived in terms of "making gentle the life of this world," to quote Bobby Kennedy.
 

EagleSmack

Hall of Fame Member
Feb 16, 2005
44,168
96
48
USA
I've got no problem with funding pure research. As I said, the damndest things tend to produce the next revolution. I just ain't real fond of people who assign moral value to "pure" research and sneer at the practical stuff that's extended our lives, health, comfort, and power. Stuff like electricity, materials science, medicine, and engineering.

One engineer is worth every politician, preacher, lawyer, and pundit who ever lived in terms of "making gentle the life of this world," to quote Bobby Kennedy.

I do not have a problem with funding research.

I have a big problem with researchers who think tax payers should be forced to hand over cash with no questions asked.

I have a big problem with researchers who think they are above having to justify their research.
 

Tecumsehsbones

Hall of Fame Member
Mar 18, 2013
60,458
9,591
113
Washington DC
I do not have a problem with funding research.

I have a big problem with researchers who think tax payers should be forced to hand over cash with no questions asked.

I have a big problem with researchers who think they are above having to justify their research.
I'm with you there.