Naked Science Forum

General Discussion & Feedback => Just Chat! => Topic started by: PmbPhy on 31/08/2015 14:05:00

Title: Should the public have more control over how money is spent in science?
Post by: PmbPhy on 31/08/2015 14:05:00

Do you think that the public should have more control on how funds should be allocated for science and how it's used in the sciences? By "more control" I mean that our elected officials should have less control over it because they don't necessarily reflect the publics desires. That may or may not be a good thing.

Title: Re: Should the public have more control over how money is spent in science?
Post by: chiralSPO on 31/08/2015 14:33:39

What sort of mechanism do you propose to allow "the public" to have control over something without "their representation" having that control?

I know people who have resorted to Kickstarter to fund their research (in their experience, this doesn't work so well)

And, as bad as our publicly elected officials are (at least in the US, I can't speak about other governments), I'm not sure that the American Public would be any more "pro science..."

"you want 1.8 million dollars to study lubrication?!? what's wrong with WD-40?"

Title: Re: Should the public have more control over how money is spent in science?
Post by: PmbPhy on 31/08/2015 15:58:22

Quote from: chiralSPO

What sort of mechanism do you propose to allow "the public" to have control over something without "their representation" having that control?

By election ballet votes. When you go to the poles on election day you're sometimes given selections which you an vote on. Several years ago we (people in MA) had the selection on the ballet to be able to buy beer and wine in grocery stores. That can be extended to voting for certain things in science.

Quote from: chiralSPO

..I'm not sure that the American Public would be any more "pro science..."

This isn't voting about science/no science. This is voting among where the funds go. And a lack of voting will mean a vote for letting your elected official determine where the money goes.

Title: Re: Should the public have more control over how money is spent in science?
Post by: ProjectSailor on 14/09/2015 14:45:55

I think we scientists should overthrow governments and take the entire tax haul for ourselves..

but If I think about the general poluation.. specifically many of those I see on Jeremy Kyle (Jerry Springer) I think its better not involving the general pubic.

Title: Re: Should the public have more control over how money is spent in science?
Post by: alancalverd on 15/10/2015 08:39:03

Quote from: PmbPhy on 31/08/2015 14:05:00

By "more control" I mean that our elected officials should have less control over it because they don't necessarily reflect the publics desires.

Wouldn't it be better to reorganise the electoral system so that they did reflect public opinion? It's not difficult. 

Title: Re: Should the public have more control over how money is spent in science?
Post by: guest39538 on 16/10/2015 00:50:41

Quote from: PmbPhy on 31/08/2015 14:05:00

Do you think that the public should have more control on how funds should be allocated for science and how it's used in the sciences? By "more control" I mean that our elected officials should have less control over it because they don't necessarily reflect the publics desires. That may or may not be a good thing.

A scientific fund/budget each year should be handed over to a science committee made up of various scientists of various fields from different continental places who are trustees to the funding and forthwith decide on what pursuits to endeavour in and for what purpose the funding is best spent.   Public opinion could only hamper things, for example,  if most of the public believed in extraterrestrial life, E.T may end up with a big budget phoning home from their limos.
The simple answer to defining a budget is to ask what is needed the most?   At this time do we need to travel deep into space?  are thinks like this really a necessity?
Needs is always a must and localised science should always come first and the needs for survival take premise over all other sciences.  Turning lead into gold or improving our environment?   gold is no good to a dead man.

Title: Re: Should the public have more control over how money is spent in science?
Post by: alancalverd on 16/10/2015 14:35:56

I think you have just invented the European Science Foundation. Best avoided, in my experience.

Title: Re: Should the public have more control over how money is spent in science?
Post by: Katori on 17/01/2016 16:26:01

Should, but, at the same time, how this crowd can know what be better the science?