Good on them, but the letter that they're replying to clearly spells out the consequences. NAS and NSF rely on federal grants and contracts. I don't know how much of their budget that is, but it will definitely impair their ability to continue to support science.
I applaud their willingness to go down with their integrity intact.
> but it will definitely impair their ability to continue to support science.
I would argue that hiding the science when politicians don't like it would also impair their ability to continue to support science.
Further, sending a letter threatening to cut funding is much easier than actually cutting the funding. The relevant funding vote isn't until August, and if there is any difficulty (as there almost always is) it could easily become a midterm battle or even go into the next congress. That's not to say the threat is empty, but it's not a done deal either.
"I'll be able to do more to support the victims," decent Germans told themselves, "if I accommodate the administration and keep my career."
Totalitarianism does not rely solely on convinced fanatics, sadists, or ideological zealots to carry out its atrocities. Rather, its most effective instrument is the "philistine"—the ordinary individual who has retreated into private life and is single-mindedly devoted to "matters of family and career".
Heinrich Himmler, the architect of the Nazi SS, recognized that the best material for executing mass crimes were "first and foremost job holders and good family men"[0]. Because these individuals prioritize their private security and professional advancement, they are "ready to sacrifice anything—belief, honor, dignity—on the slightest provocation".
So it's that exact "willingness to go down with integrity intact" which stands between us and the next Holocaust.
All the celebrated liberal democracies of the present were preceded by uglier periods of militarism, and this has been a repeating pattern.
Germany, Japan, et al recovered from their worst and it is reasonable to be hopeful that the US follows this pattern. The birth of the new republic will be both painful and expensive, as is tradition, yet it will happen.
Ugh, consume a greater variety[0] of media, please!
"This" is mostly like every fascist, authoritarian administration or group in the history of civilization. And you only have children's franchise properties for reference? We are screwed.
I will spend the rest of my life begging STEM majors to study one iota of the humanities.
Would you mind if I sent you a book list?Or even films?
Good on them, but the letter that they're replying to clearly spells out the consequences. NAS and NSF rely on federal grants and contracts. I don't know how much of their budget that is, but it will definitely impair their ability to continue to support science.
I applaud their willingness to go down with their integrity intact.
> but it will definitely impair their ability to continue to support science.
I would argue that hiding the science when politicians don't like it would also impair their ability to continue to support science.
Further, sending a letter threatening to cut funding is much easier than actually cutting the funding. The relevant funding vote isn't until August, and if there is any difficulty (as there almost always is) it could easily become a midterm battle or even go into the next congress. That's not to say the threat is empty, but it's not a done deal either.
Sorry, but your attitude is how the fascists win.
"I'll be able to do more to support the victims," decent Germans told themselves, "if I accommodate the administration and keep my career."
Totalitarianism does not rely solely on convinced fanatics, sadists, or ideological zealots to carry out its atrocities. Rather, its most effective instrument is the "philistine"—the ordinary individual who has retreated into private life and is single-mindedly devoted to "matters of family and career".
Heinrich Himmler, the architect of the Nazi SS, recognized that the best material for executing mass crimes were "first and foremost job holders and good family men"[0]. Because these individuals prioritize their private security and professional advancement, they are "ready to sacrifice anything—belief, honor, dignity—on the slightest provocation".
So it's that exact "willingness to go down with integrity intact" which stands between us and the next Holocaust.
0. Hannah Arendt, Origins of Totalitarianism
All the celebrated liberal democracies of the present were preceded by uglier periods of militarism, and this has been a repeating pattern.
Germany, Japan, et al recovered from their worst and it is reasonable to be hopeful that the US follows this pattern. The birth of the new republic will be both painful and expensive, as is tradition, yet it will happen.
This is like the Resistance and the Rebel alliance.
Also reminds me of Voldemort.
I wish there was a Lego set to support the cause of climate change.
Ugh, consume a greater variety[0] of media, please!
"This" is mostly like every fascist, authoritarian administration or group in the history of civilization. And you only have children's franchise properties for reference? We are screwed.
I will spend the rest of my life begging STEM majors to study one iota of the humanities.
Would you mind if I sent you a book list?Or even films?
0. https://knowyourmeme.com/memes/getting-a-lot-of-boss-baby-vi...
I'd be interested to see your list! Contact in bio if you don't want to post it here.