On page 123 of Unscientific
America the authors, Mooney and Kirshenbaum, make the point that “the
United States can probably never hope to produce as many total engineers and
scientists as India and China, given their vastly larger populations.” This
would mean that the United States would forfeit its position as the country
home to the greatest number of scientists, and just by numbers alone, India and
China would be able to undertake more research endeavors, putting the U.S.
dominance on scientific advances in jeopardy.
The prospect of a future where the
United States is not the driving force in science is disconcerting. American
post-war scientific advances have driven both the economic development of the
United States and beyond and the upward trend of quality of life domestically
and abroad. No nation has benefited as much from the “golden age” of American science
than the United States itself. This is why it is so crucial that the United
States, if it cannot create the most scientists and engineers, creates the best
and most capable scientists and engineers. This will require the United States
to create a climate hospitable for the cultivation of American scientific talent
and the attraction of foreign talent as well. Being home to the best
universities and colleges in the world makes this feat easily accomplished,
but the true challenge lies in the creation of more science-based jobs and
research opportunities in order to truly reap the benefits of having the most
qualified and capable scientists in the United States.
Unfortunately, “job-creation” and
other policy related issues are tasks stuck in the mire of politics, and with
the current political climate where “bipartisanship” is a dirty word (and where
many mainstream Republicans must pander to the anti-science fringe minorities or
risk being voted out by angry old men wearing tri-cornered hats with tea bags
dangling from them), the chances of congressional action to invest in science
are slim. Funding research provides benefits for the future, and voters have
demonstrated time and time again that the future is of no concern to them, think
global warming, and legislators have responded by focusing on short-term gains,
like allow the unbelievably idiotic sequestration to happen to demonstrate how
serious they are about “cutting spending.” Until science is a primary
Congressional concern, the United States will be at constant risk of losing its
leadership position in the scientific realm.
2 comments:
Nick, I like your jokes about politicians, but truly agree with you on the fact that unless politicians start taking science seriously. It's sad to think that such important things in our society are in the hands of politicians and some of them do not even care about science. While we do have the educational resources, without funding for research, I wonder just how will America end up in the future because, like you said, research provides benefits for the future and also the present. Less research opportunity just gives less incentive to be a scientist in the first place, and if there isn't much quantity, there's not much quality to produce either.
Nick, I think the book that you chose for this project is really eye opening and prompts very interesting discussion and thought on America and our advancement yet lack of prevalence of science in the public. Science needs to be continually pushed and jobs constantly created. Science isn't a field that will ever disappear, science is something that is majorly involved in every single aspect of everyday life from medicines to the computers we use, to the creatures and organisms we are and are surrounded by. I think we need to remove politics from science as much as possible, because frankly it disrespects the field. Not enough importance is stressed on science, and politicians have ulterior motives for being involved in science and advancement that shouldn't be there. The sole purpose to push science and engineering is to better our nation, and the world as a whole, not to win a race or win political wars.
Post a Comment