> The fundamental research these people do is exactly the kind of research that our corporate sponsors won't do.
Where did the government funding go?
One thing I have observed in the States is that people in the corporate world are extremely shy about discussing politics, or anything related to government – preferring to repeat the "all politicians are assholes" cliché, rather than actually have some kind of coherent position that can be discussed or challenged.
If you want the government to fund things, you have to elect the correct sort of government; and get involved in talking about it, discussing it, and trying to influence it. Currently, what I see is that most people have just enough to get by without being involved in government in any shape or form, which works out well for maintaining the status quo.
Currently, your real government is often the corporate world, which is 100% motivated by how much cash you can earn. They will fund the sort of things that will earn them that cash the quickest. Currently, that seems to be "games where you play with virtual candy", and not "research into the fundamental sciences".
How to change this? I'm not sure (not an American), but I hear about PACs being led by people like Larry Lessig that are very pro-reform, so perhaps talking to them might be a way.
One thing I have observed in the States is that people in the corporate world are extremely shy about discussing politics, or anything related to government – preferring to repeat the "all politicians are assholes" cliché, rather than actually have some kind of coherent position that can be discussed or challenged.
If you want the government to fund things, you have to elect the correct sort of government; and get involved in talking about it, discussing it, and trying to influence it. Currently, what I see is that most people have just enough to get by without being involved in government in any shape or form, which works out well for maintaining the status quo.
Currently, your real government is often the corporate world, which is 100% motivated by how much cash you can earn. They will fund the sort of things that will earn them that cash the quickest. Currently, that seems to be "games where you play with virtual candy", and not "research into the fundamental sciences".
How to change this? I'm not sure (not an American), but I hear about PACs being led by people like Larry Lessig that are very pro-reform, so perhaps talking to them might be a way.