>> Who is to say that funding cuts in academia won’t have short and long-term benefits for society and also result in a net increase in happiness and productivi

>> Who is to say that funding cuts in academia won’t have short and long-term benefits for society and also result in a net increase in happiness and productivity Don't we already have evidence of this? Many developing nations do not have adequate funding for academia and it is not increasing their happiness and productivity. Neither we can see any benefits on the society.