This is a continuation of the elimination of corporate support for basic research and therefore lack of future vision. Everything now comes down to the quarterly report and keeping shareholders happy. Corporations now rely on government or academic labs yet, the same people push government to shrink and divest themselves of these basic research labs. Where will the basic science and knowledge come from? Probably as something found through product development and not from the interest of “just needing to know.”
It takes a long time to build a research and design team so all the people know how each other works, what their interests are and how to support each other. Research teams are built over time, not assembled on a whim for a product design need.
This article I found on the Wired Blog.
jason nolan | 30-Aug-08 at 8:30 am | Permalink
of course, originally scientific research was financed by the nobles or the church… they wanted specific outcomes… when the governments took over it was the same. No one WANTS to do basic research, so it doesn’t happen. A new generation will do it, and take over with the fruits of our labors. I think it is a good thing^tm that governments and big corps are getting out of the bizness.
admin | 01-Sep-08 at 10:17 pm | Permalink
good point..
more to consider