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Science is notoriously bad at fixing its own problems. The meme plays well on HN because most people here believe in building solutions for themselves. We were

Science is notoriously bad at fixing its own problems. The meme plays well on HN because most people here believe in building solutions for themselves. We were scientists. We didn't want to deal with stupid shit. So we built something for ourselves. This is my cofounder crowdfunding her own project: https://www.microryza.com/projects/repurposing-potential-anthrax-therapeutic-for-new-staphylococcus-epidermidis-antibiotic https://www.microryza.com/projects/repurposing-potential-ant...

streptomycin 14y ago
I can't wait to write a grant application targeting the average Internet user rather than experts in my field. That will surely be a productive use of my time, and will undoubtedly result in a more fair distribution of money. Honestly, I'm not trying to be an asshole and I commend you for your spirit, but I just can't see how you and others think crowdsourcing science funding is a good idea. Science has problems, but Microryza solves none of them and introduces myriad new issues (well, it would introduce new issues if it was successful, but I find that to be a dubious proposition).
- irollboozers 14y ago
  We openly tell researchers that crowdfunding isn't for everyone, at least not yet. If it isn't valuable for you, that doesn't mean it can't be valuable for anyone else. Just don't do it and wait around for others to validate it. I don't believe you're being an asshole. You're just picking up the mantle that being a scientist automagically entitles you to know what's best for other scientists.
  - vwinsyee 14y ago
    I'd have to share the parent's skeptism. I'm in biostatistics and neuroscience, and for the most part, could evaluate a stats or neuro proposal. But, if I were to look at, say, an astrophysics or physical chemistry research proposal, I'd probably have little to no idea on the proposal's merits. So I'm curious how Microryza will help non-domain experts evaluate proposals.

streptomycin 14y ago

I can't wait to write a grant application targeting the average Internet user rather than experts in my field. That will surely be a productive use of my time, and will undoubtedly result in a more fair distribution of money. Honestly, I'm not trying to be an asshole and I commend you for your spirit, but I just can't see how you and others think crowdsourcing science funding is a good idea. Science has problems, but Microryza solves none of them and introduces myriad new issues (well, it would introduce new issues if it was successful, but I find that to be a dubious proposition).

irollboozers 14y ago
We openly tell researchers that crowdfunding isn't for everyone, at least not yet. If it isn't valuable for you, that doesn't mean it can't be valuable for anyone else. Just don't do it and wait around for others to validate it. I don't believe you're being an asshole. You're just picking up the mantle that being a scientist automagically entitles you to know what's best for other scientists.
- vwinsyee 14y ago
  I'd have to share the parent's skeptism. I'm in biostatistics and neuroscience, and for the most part, could evaluate a stats or neuro proposal. But, if I were to look at, say, an astrophysics or physical chemistry research proposal, I'd probably have little to no idea on the proposal's merits. So I'm curious how Microryza will help non-domain experts evaluate proposals.