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Economic incentive is how we allocate resources. Expecting big brains to defy what the market currently wants is not only a huge personal sacrifice but it may e
by prodigal_erik 16y ago
Economic incentive is how we allocate resources. Expecting big brains to defy what the market currently wants is not only a huge personal sacrifice but it may even prevent them from succeeding. Organizations (mostly governments) that want betterment of the world should be paying the market more to efficiently deliver it.
- gaius 16y agoWell, yes and no. In theory it sounds like it ought, but look at fusion research: for the last 50 years it's always been 30 years away, which by sheer coincidence is about the length of a post-doc career. And look at the old Soviet Empire or China today: their central planning ought to have made it possible to attract talent to "grand challenge" projects, but it just isn't happening.
- Retric 16y agoFast track fusion is about 15 years away. DEMO is supposed to deliver a useful about of net power. Granted ITER has been delayed ~15 years and the best reactor in the world was built in the 80's, but that's more about funding than research.