Sure, we're not optimizing. But my point still stands that yes, we are making progress, and yes science is delivering in places where it counts right now. The p

Sure, we're not optimizing. But my point still stands that yes, we are making progress, and yes science is delivering in places where it counts right now. The pessimism is unwarranted. What would be more interesting to me is some critical analysis of why the American sciences in particular are structured to exclude most of the minds on the planet. What are we losing, for instance, by the fact that our institutions are not able to attract and retain women and other historically underestimated groups? What are we losing by making our immigration regime more repellent to scientific talent, such that more people stay in places where they are not able to maximize their gifts? Especially in the context of the difficulties encountered by the researcher you cited, it seems obvious that an examination of these historic biases is warranted, although it would be more unpleasant & politically charged than railing against capital structures etc.