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National Academies on U.S. Science

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the holding-on-too-tight dept.

theodp writes to tell us that the National Academies, the nation's 'leading science advisory group', is warning of the continued loss of America's competitive edge with regards to science in the global community. In a press release they call for the immediate increase of teachers and advanced research and development, citing that 'in 2001 U.S. industry spent more on tort litigation than on research and development.' The Committee includes, among others, Intel's Craig 'Don't Call Us Benedict Arnold CEOs' Barrett.

9 of 285 comments (clear)

  1. never fear!! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Funny

    The Americans have "faith based" science. What could go wrong?

    1. Re: never fear!! by Black+Parrot · · Score: 3, Funny

      > The Americans have "faith based" science. What could go wrong?

      We may not produce the best science, but at least we produce the best musi- uh, the best televis- uh, the best automob- uh...

      We're screwed, aren't we.

      --
      Sheesh, evil *and* a jerk. -- Jade
    2. Re: never fear!! by at_slashdot · · Score: 4, Funny

      "We have zero inflation"

      Apparently we also have faith-based economy.

      --
      "It is our choices, Harry, that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities." -- Prof. Dumbledore
  2. And the colored girls say by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    dupe do dupe do dupe do do dupe

  3. I know who to blame by Kohath · · Score: 2, Funny

    But why is George Bush causing all these Slashdot dupes?

  4. Re:Don't we improve in other domains? by Propagandhi · · Score: 4, Funny

    Exactly! I picture our wealth of good lawyers as a gigantic tick (or other parasite, if you prefer) that suckles off the rest of society. We've let it grow, thinking that it was merely sucking out the bad stuff and keeping everything else in order (we were wrong, but whatever).

    Now the tick is HUGE.. way bigger than the rest of us (still working with my metaphor here, so the rest of us includes everyone from Engineers to Artists.. basically the whole of the real economy; everyone that actually generates capital). As a result, we're practically dead. Supporting this beast for so long has taken too much out of us and workers overseas are now at an advantage.

    Sounds like a pretty dire situation, right? WRONG! Once we're nearly dead the lawyers will see these juicy targets overseas and worm their way over to them leaving us to recover from our near fatal leaching. Once the lawyers are distracted we can make laws with which to control them and then wield them on the other countries until the end days! I'm telling you, this apparently crippling development is all but ensuring that America will be an economic powerhouse for centuries to come!

  5. Too focused on happiness by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    While it is true, gaining gold on each turn helps us afford our mechanized infantry, we would be better served moving happiness down to 10%, and increasing science to 60%. We would still gain the gold we need, and with just 48 turns left, and those damned Aztecs with the higher average scores, our only hope is too win the space race...

  6. New invention - great market potential by tomhudson · · Score: 2, Funny
    in 2001 U.S. industry spent more on tort litigation than on research and development
    So what US industry is saying is that there is a HUGE market for "Mr. LEGAL BEAGLE" software.
    Okay, Captains of Industry!

    Tired of spending big bux on lawyers?

    Subscribe to our Mr. Legal Beagle software service, and kiss your torts goodbye!

    Now, instead of counting the dollars wasted every minute you talk to an attorney, you can do a web-based "interview" with our legal AI, who will analyse your case and prepare any necessary briefs.

    When it comes time to go to court, just bring your laptop and a wireless internet connection, and Mr. Legal Beagle will argue your case for you.

    Choose from 7 exciting avatars - including Beezlebub (our most popular), Snoopy, and Darl McBride (insanity pleas). More added every month.

    Extra services - Mr. Bribe and Mr. BreakYourLegs - for when you want to "negociate" a "settlement." At an extra cost, of course.

    So what are you waiting for? Don't waste another penny on lawyers. Get Mr. Legal Beagle TODAY. Before your competitors or customers do, and sue YOU!
  7. Question (maybe off-topic, but still)... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    Why is the top stripe of the flag white, when it should be red?