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> Climate change skeptics often question the financial motivation of climatologists. It's certainly something to consider, but they rarely propose alternatives.
by throwawayjava 8y ago
> Climate change skeptics often question the financial motivation of climatologists. It's certainly something to consider, but they rarely propose alternatives.
I don't think this argument is being made in good faith.
More importantly, it's kind of absurd on face. Science pays horribly. See: literally any thread on HN about PhD programs. See also: levels.fyi vs. the starting salary for asst. profs at your local state university branch campus.
Whenever someone makes this argument, I show them a picture of the apartment I lived in during grad school and then point out that even the "winners" of the rat race who get professorships can leave academia and double their income over night.
- tabtab 8y agoThe fact they are not paid well may be used as more evidence they are "bribe-able". I'm not saying they have been bribed, only that low pay cannot be reliable used as evidence either way.
- throwawayjava 8y agoIt'd not just that they are not paid well. It's the fact that they have very explicitly and consistently chosen science over money. If they wanted money, they could switch jobs tomorrow and have more money (and more free time).