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In art the patron knows the artist. In the government funding of research, the government picks people (heads of NIH, NSF, etc.) who then pick people (division
by jballanc 18y ago
In art the patron knows the artist. In the government funding of research, the government picks people (heads of NIH, NSF, etc.) who then pick people (division heads) who then pick people from the community (study sections) who then choose from among their peers who gets funding...
...I'd say it's probably the least politicized thing the government does.
- patio11 18y agoI'd say it's probably the least politicized thing the government does I don't know if I'd describe the grant approval process as a-political, especially after hearing my professors describe how it operates on a nuts and bolts level. There is probably a salient difference between Congress, the grant committee reviewing AI research proposals, and a gang of chimpanzees doing grooming and dominance games. An alien race unfamiliar with primates might conclude that the difference is how many fleas are killed in each activity.
- dhimes 18y agoThere is probably a salient difference between Congress, the grant committee reviewing AI research proposals, and a gang of chimpanzees doing grooming and dominance games. An alien race unfamiliar with primates might conclude that the difference is how many fleas are killed in each activity. That's one of the best lines I've ever read. Your real name is PJ O'Rourke, isn't it? :)
- deleted 18y ago[deleted]
- bokonist 18y agoHaving that kind of selection process is recipe for politicalization and bureaucratization. This article is my favorite treatment of the subject: http://unqualified-reservations.blogspot.com/2007/11/tryfon-tolides-almost-pure-empty-poetry.html http://unqualified-reservations.blogspot.com/2007/11/tryfon-...