No Science, No Startups: The Innovation Engine We're Switching Off
10 hours ago
- #research
- #science
- #innovation
- The article discusses the Trump Administration's war on science in universities and questions the nature and importance of science.
- It explains the roles of scientists (theorists and experimentalists), engineers, entrepreneurs, and venture capitalists in the innovation ecosystem.
- Scientists are driven by curiosity, form hypotheses, and conduct experiments, often specializing in fields like biology, physics, or computer science.
- Theorists develop mathematical models and abstract frameworks, while experimentalists design and run experiments in labs.
- Basic science focuses on fundamental principles, while applied science uses these findings for practical applications.
- The U.S. government has historically funded scientific research, with universities playing a key role in basic research.
- Engineers build on scientific discoveries to create practical solutions, and entrepreneurs bring these innovations to market.
- Venture capitalists fund startups but avoid high-risk basic research, relying on government and universities for foundational science.
- Investment in science correlates with national power, and neglecting it weakens economic growth and defense capabilities.
- The article warns that cutting science funding will shift innovation to countries like China, which continue to invest heavily in research.