25 comments

  • moomin a day ago ago

    It would be absolutely shocking if the US managed to mess up its incredible lead in scientific research. But like all things, it is the product of a consistent policy environment. If that environment changes, one day people will be writing thinkpieces about the golden age of US universities.

    • hbartab a day ago ago

      That is exactly what Germany did with its scientists in the 1930s/1940s.

      I am not attempting to draw any parallels between governments or ideologies here. My goal is to state the obvious: such a self-inflicted brain drain has happened before and it will happen again unless we learn from history, which we (humans) rarely do.

    • esbranson a day ago ago

      If the rest of the world spends zero money on the research areas being cut, then no lead is lost.

  • arcanus a day ago ago

    The overall funding for starting up a laboratory is much smaller in Europe than the USA.

    It's that start up funding that will drive talent, more than anything else.

    • FirmwareBurner a day ago ago

      This. Ivy Leagues will be here in 3.5 years when Trump will not. EU announced 500 million Euros for research while Harvard alone has almost 60 billion endowment.

      • benoau a day ago ago

        That endowment is not their budget for scientific research. The EU basically caught up with what Harvard spends of their own money with that €500 million.

        > In fiscal year 2024 (FY24), research at Harvard was supported by more than $1 billion of sponsored funds from federal, foundation, and industry sponsors, alongside an additional $526 million funded directly by the University.

        https://osp.finance.harvard.edu/osp-annual-report

      • moomin a day ago ago

        > Trump will not.

        People said that the last time he was elected. Be wary of treating him as an aberration. He’s not magic, he’s exactly what people voted for. What makes you think they won’t vote for the same again with a new face?

        • add-sub-mul-div a day ago ago

          He is unusual in that he's boosted by decades of pop culture fame. Other MAGA candidates haven't been able to recreate the same level of success. You're right that there's a lot of stupidity that won't magically go away when he does, but the environment for an adult (of either party) to win won't be so hard.

  • datavirtue a day ago ago

    "All they ever did was cause trouble."

  • undefined a day ago ago
    [deleted]
  • aaron695 a day ago ago

    [dead]

  • Am4TIfIsER0ppos a day ago ago

    If you come can you give me your passport so I can get out of here?

  • esbranson a day ago ago

    Ignorance is bliss and the grass is always greener. #SaveBrainCity

  • sQL_inject a day ago ago

    Bounced at their cookie popup just like the scientists will bounce when they see how much their salary is in the EU.

    • spookie a day ago ago

      Well, the work culture for scientists specifically is a lot better.