[RadioAstronomer]

disappointing results from scientists.

As an example, who knows what the Super Collider would have discovered. But the luddites saw fit to destroy it. Many of the "disappointing results" are from funding cuts and cancellations. I am paid by the Gov and I wonder if each year my projects will be re-funded.

[mrsmith]

I wish you weren't paid by the government too. Academic institutions ahould be throwing their money at research programs that will get them the best students. Welfare has a terrible effect on creativity.

When younger I had the fortune to work at a research company (in a lowly technician position), and also to meet an academic physicist who had an improvemnt for optical telescopes.

At the company an idea or discovery was greeted with "so-and-so will want this, it'll put 'em two years ahead of the competition". Basic research arose out of the need for the clients to keep ahead in the market.

The academic, however, spent years getting his idea funded because of poitics- basically because funding would go to another department.

[Elsie]

I am paid by the Gov and I wonder if each year my projects will be re-funded.

I got out just in time: '95 Navy Dept.