Intel Drops Support For Science Talent Search

An anonymous reader writes: Started by Westinghouse Electric, the Science Talent Search (STS) has for 73 years been the nation's oldest and most prestigious science competition for high school students. Intel has been sponsoring the competition since 1998 at an annual cost of approximately ~$6M, representing 0.01 of the company's $56B revenue last year. Intel's abrupt decision to cancel sponsorship of this beloved and venerable institution is baffling to students and educators the world over. Former STS finalists include inventor Ray Kurzweil and physicist Brian Greene.

Comments

Re:Doesn't fit the SJW agenda

[Applehu Akbar]

I would love to see some Chinese company take over the sponsorship from Intel.

Re:How much for the Diversity Initiative?

[SunTzuWarmaster]

The above paints a (probably accurate) picture that Intel is cutting $300M in R&D and starting $300M in Diversity Initiatives. The STS highlights "Independent individual [student] research", and is (likely) funded out of the R&D budget. It seems like a pretty clear message of valuing genitalia/pigmentation above talent/competence. I disagree with this corporate value stance, but it is not my company.

I really hate to think of the R&D scientists/engineers who will be laid off, go without equipment, or be unable to investigate new projects because the company believes that more representatives having certain genitalia or pigmentation should instead be subsidized. Doubly so for student researchers (bearing the wrong genitalia or pigmentation).

Re:Probably not enough women and minorities winnin

[Anonymous Coward]

SJW's don't count jews and asians as minorities, only blacks and some hispanics (not the rich or successful ones). The second your race or religion begins to succeed, then SJW's can't use you as an example of evil white male oppression, and so you're not a minority anymore.

Re:How much for the Diversity Initiative?

[AmiMoJo]

The above paints a (probably accurate) picture that Intel is cutting $300M in R&D and starting $300M in Diversity Initiatives.

It doesn't say that at all. For a start it's not even comparing the same things. $300M for diversity is a one-off cost, $300M from R&D is a repeating cost year on year.

Also note that Intel has just bid $16.7Bn (with a B) for Altera. Sounds like they are pivoting away from desktop and into other areas, rather than simply diverting money. If anything is sucking money away from R&D it's probably the fact that they just bought a company with a huge R&D department.