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The Turing was my first major experience of the UK research community. It was immediately apparent to me that it was a bit of a snakepit---resources were denied

The Turing was my first major experience of the UK research community. It was immediately apparent to me that it was a bit of a snakepit---resources were denied or otherwise withheld between teams as a part of internal competition, service to the organisation was routinely forgotten or ignored, and changes in direction seemed to occur every quarter, if not every month. It could have been a very cool thing, and the community that was fostered there during the stable periods was extremely productive. But, there's now so much ill will around the latest purges that I doubt it'll ever regain that vibe.

happyopossum 2y ago
> resources were denied or otherwise withheld between teams as a part of internal competition, service to the organisation was routinely forgotten or ignored, and changes in direction seemed to occur every quarter, if not every month. Government funded Loosely defined goals Little oversight No accountability Yup, given the inputs, your description checks out.
- ATIThrowaway 2y ago
  In my experience, this happens at bad private-sector organisations as well. An asp is an asp, even when it's taxpayer-funded.
  - robertlagrant 2y ago
    Private-sector organisations aren't wasting tax money. They're mis-spending their own money.
    - kryptiskt 2y ago
      They love to waste government funds too when they can get their hands on some.
      - robertlagrant 2y ago
        That's still the government mis-spending your taxes.
        Apocryphon 2y ago
        What about when governments give private sector organizations tax breaks, and then those organizations go on to do something wasteful?
        robertlagrant 2y ago
        That's the government doing it. I don't understand the question. The government is deciding to do something.
    - jhbadger 2y ago
      Government contracts (ultimately tax money) are the primary way a lot of companies get their money, though. You don't sell fighter aircraft or massive rockets to the public. Even a lot of AI companies like Palantir primarily serve the government.

happyopossum 2y ago

> resources were denied or otherwise withheld between teams as a part of internal competition, service to the organisation was routinely forgotten or ignored, and changes in direction seemed to occur every quarter, if not every month. Government funded Loosely defined goals Little oversight No accountability Yup, given the inputs, your description checks out.

ATIThrowaway 2y ago
In my experience, this happens at bad private-sector organisations as well. An asp is an asp, even when it's taxpayer-funded.
- robertlagrant 2y ago
  Private-sector organisations aren't wasting tax money. They're mis-spending their own money.
  - kryptiskt 2y ago
    They love to waste government funds too when they can get their hands on some.
    - robertlagrant 2y ago
      That's still the government mis-spending your taxes.
      - Apocryphon 2y ago
        What about when governments give private sector organizations tax breaks, and then those organizations go on to do something wasteful?
        robertlagrant 2y ago
        That's the government doing it. I don't understand the question. The government is deciding to do something.
  - jhbadger 2y ago
    Government contracts (ultimately tax money) are the primary way a lot of companies get their money, though. You don't sell fighter aircraft or massive rockets to the public. Even a lot of AI companies like Palantir primarily serve the government.