For @technologyreview.com I spoke with more than 10+ federal workers who occupy, or until recently occupied, scientific and technical positions across various agencies. They explained to me how much behind-the-scenes work the US government does to keep America’s engine of innovation humming. 2/ - ThreadSky

karenhao.bsky.social • 2 days ago

For @technologyreview.com I spoke with more than 10+ federal workers who occupy, or until recently occupied, scientific and technical positions across various agencies. They explained to me how much behind-the-scenes work the US government does to keep America’s engine of innovation humming. 2/

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karenhao.bsky.social•2 days ago

Government funds account for more than *half* the R&D budget that US universities spend each year—in 2023, that was $60B out of $109B. The gov also does a lot of its own research at national labs like Oak Ridge & Los Alamos and agencies like NOAA and DoD.

What are the returns on that investment? 3/

karenhao.bsky.social•2 days ago

Better healthcare, better drugs, better consumer tech.

I cite @mazzucatom.bsky.social’s research: Pretty much every major technological transformation in the US, from electric cars to Google to the iPhone, can trace its roots back to basic science research once funded by the federal government. 4/

karenhao.bsky.social•2 days ago

But it’s not just about the money. The government helps attract the best minds to the US. It helps the best minds in the US go safely overseas to do field work. It brokers agreements to foster international science collaboration. It tracks and aggregates data to support life-saving research. 5/

karenhao.bsky.social•2 days ago

Americans don’t just get innovations in return, either. US scientific leadership plays a huge role in bolstering US *global* leadership. It has long been a hugely successful diplomatic and soft power tool for deepening relationships with allies and stabilizing those with competitors. 6/

karenhao.bsky.social•2 days ago

Being world-class at science is also critical to national security. If the US wants to secure its semiconductor supply chain, if it wants to prepare the military for climate change, if it wants to prevent the next pandemic, it needs top scientists. 7/

karenhao.bsky.social•2 days ago

This is why so many of the federal workers I spoke to were stunned by the Trump administration’s actions. Keeping the US the #1 science and technology leader has never been a partisan issue. No one predicted the wholesale assault on these foundations of American prosperity. 8/

mbruckner.bsky.social•2 days ago

Hegseth says climate change is woke nonsense and so it’s not clear we do

lolalolajoaquin.bsky.social•1 day ago

The U.S. is gutting its scientific prowess and will quickly become a second tier power.
This is the opening that China has been waiting for.

disnothus.bsky.social•2 days ago

I will never receive benefits of advanced tech that I helped proliferate as my actions in validating gene therapies. I am out of antipsychotics, I cannot afford dental care, our system is FUCKED. The fruits of our labor ONLY benefit the ruling class

vem.bsky.social•1 day ago

Also immigration. If you let the best in, then “work with competent people at the top of their field” is a job benefit you can provide.

andyinafield.bsky.social•2 days ago

Really appreciate your voice and insight, Karen. But:

swedebit.bsky.social•1 day ago

This has practically nothing to do with the topic. Healthcare spending in the U.S. is high because of (1) very high administrative costs due to byzantine system of 1,000s of providers and health insurance company, many of which are for-profit;

swedebit.bsky.social•1 day ago

(2) high drug costs due to the lack of negotiating power afforded single-payer systems; (3) high labor costs. The first two factors alone account for 50% of excess costs.

https://www.commonwealthfund.org/publications/issue-briefs/2023/oct/high-us-health-care-spending-where-is-it-all-going

Also, the article covers research and innovation across all areas, not just medicine.

merz.bsky.social•1 day ago

That is a function of basic public policy, not scientific achievement or lack thereof.

lolalolajoaquin.bsky.social•1 day ago

that is all ending in front of our eyes.

disnothus.bsky.social•2 days ago

It's a fucking joke. I was Begging the feds to ask questions and they didn't interview a single fucking actual scientist to my knowledge at JM10 on Battelles West Jefferson campus

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