3 ms·
Population grows exponentially. Number of scientists should, too. The question is the exponent.
by xapata 6y ago
Population grows exponentially. Number of scientists should, too. The question is the exponent.
- MontyCarloHall 6y agoAssuming sustained US population growth rates at the current 0.6% per year (big assumption), we expect the population to grow by ~23% over the course of a 35 year academic career. So to sustain the current relative size of academia the replacement rate is not too off from 1 student per advisor lifetime. What the exponent should be is a whole other matter.