Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

Bell Labs Kills Fundamental Physics Research

Posted by timothy on from the having-solved-all-the-really-important-problems dept.

An anonymous reader writes with this snippet from Wired: "After six Nobel Prizes, the invention of the transistor, laser and countless contributions to computer science and technology, it is the end of the road for Bell Labs' fundamental physics research lab. Alcatel-Lucent, the parent company of Bell Labs, is pulling out of basic science, material physics and semiconductor research and will instead be focusing on more immediately marketable areas such as networking, high-speed electronics, wireless, nanotechnology and software." Jamie points out this list of Bell Labs' accomplishments at Wikipedia, including little things like the UNIX operating system.

10 of 460 comments (clear)

  1. Selling out bunch of... by Whorhay · · Score: 1, Funny

    capitalists!

    1. Re:Selling out bunch of... by philspear · · Score: 3, Funny

      You seem to have taken half of my line out of context, then made the point that I was making in one line. I don't know what to say to that other than to point out "I see what U did thair."

    2. Re:Selling out bunch of... by Genda · · Score: 4, Funny

      "The power of accurate observation is commonly called cynicism by those who have not got it." -- George Bernard Shaw

      "The only thing sadder than a young cynic, is an old optimist." -- Mark Twain (Samuel Clemmens)

  2. Six Sigma by turgid · · Score: 4, Funny

    Maybe someone's been hob-nobbing with GE? Core business! Core Business! Eliminate waste! Exterminate!

    --
    Stick Men
  3. Rosswell Technology by Junior+Samples · · Score: 4, Funny

    "After six Nobel Prizes, the invention of the transistor, laser and"

    This was all technology appropriated from the Roswell Crash anyhow.

  4. A good time for it by amorsen · · Score: 3, Funny

    Luckily governments across the world have realized the need for basic research. They have provided universities and other public research institutions with practically unlimited funds, without making demands that the research must lead to products or patents.

    Due to these happy circumstances, there is no longer a need for the private sector to do basic research. It can focus on what it does best: Turning theoretical results into practical products.

    --
    Finally! A year of moderation! Ready for 2019?
  5. Re:therefore by raddan · · Score: 2, Funny

    I am fairly sure it was a joke.

    Well, as long as you're laughing, does it matter?

  6. Re:therefore by jo42 · · Score: 2, Funny

    when the next laser, the next solid state transistor, is invented, it will be done in China and India

    There was only so much Bell Labs could reverse engineer from the Alien technology fed to them from Area 51. So unless China or India have access to Area 51 Alien technology, I just don't see that happening. Unless, of course, they have their own Alien gadgets to reverse engineer...

  7. Re:therefore by amRadioHed · · Score: 3, Funny

    I do not find that attempt at humor funny. You are clearly mentally retarded or something.

    --
    We hope your rules and wisdom choke you / Now we are one in everlasting peace
  8. Carly Fiorina is at Bell Labs now?!? by PolarIced · · Score: 2, Funny

    Sorry. Couldn't resist.