Comment Re:Can it really be fixed? (Score 1) 479
And, yes, I know the argument that expanding basic science can lead to invention that benefits the individual, but personally I'd put more faith in the ability of industry to use the money making targeted investments while hiring scientists, than effective production from NASA.
The problem with relying on industry to do research is simply that it IS cost-effective. Industry does not do research that will not directly add to their bottom line. If all the great scientists of the past had had to prove up front the economic viability of their research, we'd still be stuck in the dark ages.
That's why we have agencies like NSF, NIH, et al, to fund the research and engineering that's important, but not to industry. The economic and social benefits of much research simply can't be forseen and won't be known for many, many years afterwards, but the benefits are almost always there.
The problem with relying on industry to do research is simply that it IS cost-effective. Industry does not do research that will not directly add to their bottom line. If all the great scientists of the past had had to prove up front the economic viability of their research, we'd still be stuck in the dark ages.
That's why we have agencies like NSF, NIH, et al, to fund the research and engineering that's important, but not to industry. The economic and social benefits of much research simply can't be forseen and won't be known for many, many years afterwards, but the benefits are almost always there.
