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This reminds of that Churchill quote about democracy: "the worst form of government, except for all those other forms that have been tried." Besides competitive
by hyperbovine 9y ago
This reminds of that Churchill quote about democracy: "the worst form of government, except for all those other forms that have been tried." Besides competitive grant awards, do you have a better mechanism for reliably funding brilliant ideas? I doubt it. I agree the system could be improved in certain ways, like tilting the funding stream less heavily towards older PIs, and funding a few moonshots, both problems the NIH at least claims to be addressing now.
Also, some scientists do overhype their ideas, and a very few might make up data, but the majority do neither.
- Gatsky 9y agoThe problem is of course your argument justifies any incumbent system no matter how heinous. I don't think the analogy holds up. And I don't think I am required to present a plan to revolutionise research funding in a comment on HN.
- tertius 9y agoI don't think you're required to no, but you can at least attempt an answer or cite someone else that has put thought into an alternative. And just because you fail at your attempt does not make your initial point void.
- hyperbovine 9y agoIf the current system is so "heinous" then seemingly that should not be very difficult.