First the scientists noted that the U.S. was cutting back to dangerous levels the funding for basic science. Then industry noticed, and in conjunction with academia issued the “Future of Innovation Report”:http://www.futureofinnovation.org listing the warning signs of bad things to come. Now it seems the press is taking note of this, as “illustrated by a Washington Post editorial”:http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A39175-2005Apr9.html from April 9.
It’s simple, folks. Basic research is the basis of 50% of the nation’s economic growth over the past 50 years. Without basic research, there wouldn’t be the understanding of nature needed to have come up with radio, TV, radar, lasers, microwave ovens, computers and fast electronics, alternative energy sources, even electricity. The U.S. has, until recently, been at the forefront of the basic research potential in this world. But we are slipping, and we are slipping from all sides: home-grown talent, attracted foreign talent, a society that promotes interest in learning, investment in programs that develop talent in math and science, grants for universities, funding for national lab mid-term and long-term programs.
We should take the words of the author of this editorial, Rick Weiss, to heart. America seems to be a land of shrinking curiosity, and the frontiersman spirit that grew our nation, that led us through the industrial revolution, that gave us the technological edge to become a dominant economic force in the 20th century, is slipping away. Taking the attitude that, “Well, science and math aren’t something I need to do my job so why does it matter to me or other normal Americans?” will only degrade our nation further, crippling our ability to innovate and compete.
Says Mr. Weiss,
Crouched today in a defensive posture, we are suffering from a lack of confidence and a shriveled sense of the optimism that once urged us to reach boldly into the unknown. Equally important, we seem to have forgotten that many good things come just from being open to them, without a formed idea of what they are or how they should come out. We are losing, in short, one of the oldest traditions in science: to simply observe, almost monk-like, with an open mind and without a plan.
