The Time has come for U.S. Science

[Chris is me]

Originally Posted by Tazlikesrobots

I believe that government is the problem, not the solution. It is up to us as leaders in our community to demand a better education for our children. We have a government that was built by people for the people, however they have lost sight of who they answer to.

If we really want to make a difference, then it is time for all of us to stop waiting for the government to do something and take action ourselves. Talk to your elected representatives and private industry. FIRST has a large community and if we all shout, then someone is bound to hear us!

It sounds like you're contradicting yourself. If government isn't the answer, then why do we need to talk to elected leaders? Anyhow I won't feel like debating libertarianism right now, but it's an interesting point.

(by the way I wasn't really being too serious with my post above, except for the yes we can part)

[Tazlikesrobots]

Originally Posted by Chris is me

It sounds like you're contradicting yourself. If government isn't the answer, then why do we need to talk to elected leaders? Anyhow I won't feel like debating libertarianism right now, but it's an interesting point.

(by the way I wasn't really being too serious with my post above, except for the yes we can part)

I probably should have said it a different way, but basically the point I wanted to make is not sit around and wait for someone to fix the problem....

[EricH]

Originally Posted by Chris is me

It sounds like you're contradicting yourself. If government isn't the answer, then why do we need to talk to elected leaders? Anyhow I won't feel like debating libertarianism right now, but it's an interesting point.

It's pretty simple. You talk to them to let them know that you don't want them in your business--or that you do.

I also don't want to discuss politics, but Andrew and Steve are correct. You've never heard of "campaign promises"? Those are classic political maneuvers to look good, but may not be followed through on (though it's in a candidate's/politician's best interest to at least try to follow through, due to this little thing called an election).

It's quite possible that something happens somewhere and the followthrough doesn't happen. On the other hand, it's also possible that the followthrough surprises us with its speed of execution.

[Adam Y.]

Originally Posted by EricH

On the other hand, it's also possible that the followthrough surprises us with its speed of execution.

Hehehehhe.....
http://www.whitehouse.gov/the_press_...nnual-Meeting/
It also helps that he actually put a real scientist as the head of the department of energy. He's also tripled the budget for graduate fellowships. It seems like he is spreading out the wealth and not just actively supporting one specific part of the sucess of science in America.

It's pretty simple. You talk to them to let them know that you don't want them in your business--or that you do.

When it comes to science government intervention is pretty much a must. A lot of weird and esoteric equipment like particle acellerators gets used in multiple fields that you will never ever ever find in the commercial sector and quite frankly you don't find many of in the government sectors either. In the above speech Obama refers to them as light sources even though technically they are particle accelerators.

[ehochstein]

http://www.whitehouse.gov/the_press_...nnual-Meeting/


thank you Adam Y. for finding this!

That has to be one of the top speechs I have ever heard about science (right next to Dean Kamen's this year). This speech is a must read!

My favorite part:

We know that our country is better than this. A half century ago, this nation made a commitment to lead the world in scientific and technological innovation; to invest in education, in research, in engineering; to set a goal of reaching space and engaging every citizen in that historic mission. That was the high water mark of America's investment in research and development. And since then our investments have steadily declined as a share of our national income. As a result, other countries are now beginning to pull ahead in the pursuit of this generation's great discoveries.

I believe it is not in our character, the American character, to follow. It's our character to lead. And it is time for us to lead once again. So I'm here today to set this goal: We will devote more than 3 percent of our GDP to research and development. We will not just meet, but we will exceed the level achieved at the height of the space race, through policies that invest in basic and applied research, create new incentives for private innovation, promote breakthroughs in energy and medicine, and improve education in math and science. (Applause.)

This represents the largest commitment to scientific research and innovation in American history.

Just think what this will allow us to accomplish: solar cells as cheap as paint; green buildings that produce all the energy they consume; learning software as effective as a personal tutor; prosthetics so advanced that you could play the piano again; an expansion of the frontiers of human knowledge about ourselves and world the around us. We can do this.

http://www.whitehouse.gov/the_press_...nnual-Meeting/