‘Sometimes Something Wonderful Happens’
It seemed an interesting title for an editorial piece, more suited to Christmas than the November issue of the Journal of Sound and Vibration. I read it curiously, wondering at the happenstance that had put this particular magazine in front of my on Christmas day.
Over its history, NASA has been funded by about $400 billion, compared to the $600 billion Congress just approved for the banking industry bailout (disclaimer, NASA’s budget comes to about $800 billion in 2007 dollars). Nevertheless, our law makers feel that it is more appropriate to trust bankers, brokers and accountants with more money than scientists, researchers and engineers. George Fox Long’s editorial cogently points out that what is needed to run this country, now more than ever, is smart people. Scientists who can push the envelope. Engineers who can rebuild our infrastructure.
More than anything, though, we need politicians “with the fortitude and intellect to suppress their own egos and allow well qualified individuals to address the technological challenges that face the nation.” That was Mr. Long’s wish for last month’s elections. I hope that it has come true, that would be a nice Christmas present indeed.
December 26th, 2008
it could be argued that the return of financial capability is greater than the return of knowledge/awesomeness/cool stuff of nasa?
i do agree with you/the article however.
December 28th, 2008
I think in the short term, you’re probably right about the respective ROI. However, in the long term, there is a significant ROI on money put into technology that shouldn’t be overlooked. It spurs national productivity and spawns whole industries. So, beyond scientific gains, which I think are independently valuable, there is financial reason to allocate money towards scientific and engineering research…