November 21st, 2008
Science, research and the politics of grantmanship
Seems that science is like every other human endeavor. It’s highly political.
A study done among scientists asking for money from the National Institute of Health shows blunt political caluclation can alter both the language of the grant application…and the actual subject of the study being proposed. The study was done by a Rutgers professor. It found many scientists tried to mask their actual research by using more obtuse language, a skill common among lawyers and Congressmen.
What was called “ideological climate” drove at least 25% of the scientists surveyed to actually abandon their original research goals and go in another direction. We don’t burn heretics at the stake any more, we just cut off their funds. Much more civilized.
What’s this got to do with greentech? It may become more comfortable for engineers and scientists to work on alternatives to the fossil fuel industry and to private cars. The “idological climate” is about to undergo a major shift. The Waxman Cometh, and that may be only the first outward sign.
A newsman since 1969, Harry Fuller has worked for CBS, ABC, CNBC Europe, CNET and was founding news director at TechTV. See his full profile and disclosure of his industry affiliations.
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