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0 pointsunsnap_biceps1y ago0 comments

The key issue is we're not getting audits, we're only getting indiscriminate cuts .

I understand the concerns around using funds effectively, and I agree there's a lot of waste out there, but some of that is just required in the research space to learn. If we knew what to fund to do something, it's no longer research, it's engineering.

Overhaul the grant system to ensure that there's additional scrutiny in getting funding, focus on outcomes we want, audit the past research, but burning it all down doesn't help and just wastes what's currently in flight and we'll have to rebuild eventually, duplicating effort and thus wasting money.

I understand the emotional reaction, but it would do everyone a lot of good to take a step back, take a deep breath, and approach things in a measured and focused way.

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zmgsabst1y ago

They’re not “burning it all down”, they’re cutting indirect expenses from 30%+ to 15% — and administrators who were grifting are whining because their slush funds got cut.

unsnap_bicepsOP1y ago

You are correct. I was more talking about the overall cost cutting "program" which is much closer to the burn it all down, but that isn't the case with this article and I apologize for incorrectly commenting overly broadly out of context.

jordanpg1y ago

Even in this narrow context, the cuts are indiscriminate in their domain. Moreover, they are rolled out aggressively, carelessly, and abruptly -- a lot of "masculine energy." Science takes years and requires long-term planning. This move just pulls the carpet out; there absolutely is no need for this degree of urgency other than political gain.

These organizations can and will adapt. But as I said in my OP, the real, lasting damage is in prestige. In the meantime, scientists all over the world thinking about working in the US will think twice. Young adults thinking about becoming research physicians and doing biomedical research will think twice. Researchers making peanuts working at universities doing this research will go work in pharma on more lucrative projects.

Dalewyn1y ago

>no need for this degree of urgency

Midterms are coming up in less than 2 years, and the next general in less than 4. Time is of the essence to get shit done so the people can decide if they want more or a change in course.

>lasting damage is in prestige.

Pride is a deadly sin for a reason, screw pride. We make America great again by striving for greatness, not puffing ourselves up with pride.

patrick4511y ago

The time for measured approaches is long gone. Any administration of the last 50 years could have done that. But they didn't. It's time to slash and burn.

Tadpole91811y ago

This isn't a fucking game where you get to flip the table when you don't get your way, throwing a temper tantrum, this is the lives of hundreds of millions of people and the respect for basic rule of law.

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