Saving U.S. Science

beebo famulus writes "Twenty years from now, experts doubt that America will remain a dominant force in science as it was during the last century. The hand wringing has generated a couple of new ideas to deal with the dilemma. Specifically, one expert says that the federal government should create contests and prize awards for successful science ideas, while another advises that the National Science Foundation fund more graduate students and increase the amount of the fellowships."

Comments

I am absolutely convinced

[OeLeWaPpErKe]

That america will retain the lead, and even improve it.

I realize America's science is not progressing at the rate academics would like. However, this is happening everywhere, and it's a LOT worse over here. Trust me, a LOT.

Lots of material is being dropped from the curriculum. Phd positions are not getting filled. And everything is made easier in name of "everybody being equal", everybody "needs" equal access to university (and somehow access does not mean "a chance to try" but actual graduation), and the only way to do that is dropping the level of education by a lot.

Math is being dropped like a stone in every subject. Numerical analysis ... algebra ... computational theory ... everything is disappearing from exact science curricula. This cannot be a good thing.

Re:The real problem

[jamesmrankinjr]

I think it's trendy to believe that religion is what is holding the U.S. back today.

But I think it's more complicated than that. Throughout the 20th century, the U.S. was at least as religious as it is now. But it also led the world in scientific discovery and application.

For the most part, Americans are both religious and lovers of scientific progress. Certainly technical progress with tangible results.

India I would say is very religious, but also much in love with scientific learning. China is only irreligious because of intense religious persecution, and I don't think we want to go there. Japan is very secular, and very good at science, but maybe not so good at the creative and innovative aspects of discovery as Americans, culturally speaking (although they may be making progress in those areas). South Korea has a lot of born again Christians, and still is full heartedly embracing technology and science.

Europe is extremely secular, but I don't think they have the cultural values to innovate and compete over time with the countries I just listed.

The Muslim world, of course, is ultra religious and vehemently anti-modernity, which carries over into a disdain for science.

So I think if you want to be objective and scientific in your view, the correlation between religious fervor and scientific progress is far from fixed. In my opinion, it is the U.S. system of separating church and state that has enabled both religion and science to thrive here. Yes, there have been attempts to throw that balance out of whack recently, but let's dispose of our bathwater and keep our baby, shall we.

Peace be with you,
-jimbo