Cutting back on research in OZ - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: JonnyBoats
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: November 08, 2013, 03:44:25 am
content: Razor taken to CSIROhttp://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/razor-taken-to-csiro-20131107-2x4fu.html

author: zapta
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 09, 2013, 06:04:28 am
content: "blanket staff freeze across the public service "We should learn from Australia.

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: November 09, 2013, 07:03:04 am
content: More Abbott destruction:http://www.theaustralian.com.au/technology/nicta-on-its-own-after-funding-ceases/story-e6frgakx-1226715456686#But they have hundreds of millions for Chaplains in our public schools

author: walshms
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: November 09, 2013, 07:53:31 am
content: Seriously? He wants to go back to the dark ages?You've got a real winner there, Dave. I feel for you.

author: moepower
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: November 09, 2013, 08:19:56 am
content: When will people learn that investing in R&D is investing in the future. If it weren't for that investment, no cell phones, internet, electrical power, medicines, ... the list goes on to infinity.I agree with you, we're going back to the dark ages.

author: vk6zgo
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 09, 2013, 10:02:06 am
content: Public Service bashing is a popular pastime in this country,engaged in by both sides of politics.The CSIRO is just a shadow of its former self,having been subject to pressure for many years to be "more relevant"---in other words,make something we can sell to our Big Business mates!In the early 2000s the National Acoustic Laboratories went through a similar process,with fundamental research ditched,for "more relevant" work.Part of the main building was rented out to various couriers,storage firms,etc.staff were made redundant,& other members of staff were told to chase "consulting" work.No survey was done to see if there was a market for such work!Even earlier,Telecom Australia was the target,--the Telecom Labs went,& there was an orchestrated call by the media for"de-regulation" to kill off the rest of Telecom.Well,it came,& now we have the current schemozzle with one large private company (Telstra) owning most of the national Comms network,& systematically starving it of funds,& a bunch of resellers.also out to spend as little as possible.Techs?,Engineers? What are they? ----but we do have a lot of Sales staff who will sell you whatever you like!Whether it works,or not?---That's not their department!

author: Mechatrommer
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 09, 2013, 11:45:24 am
content: didnt i say we've reach the apex?

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: November 09, 2013, 12:04:29 pm
content: Quote from: moepower on November 09, 2013, 08:19:56 amPoliticians do not think outside the next election cycle.

author: kizzap
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: November 10, 2013, 12:19:15 am
content: Quote from: wilfred on November 09, 2013, 12:17:01 pmOOOooo!!! ME! ME! ME!They were killed by Abbott?

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: November 10, 2013, 03:10:18 am
content: Quote from: wilfred on November 09, 2013, 12:17:01 pmOne could also cynically argue the first two on that list were because it was a election winner (it was, the two biggest issues of the election they won), and compulsory super didn't exactly hinder the big banks and corporations from getting more of our money to gamble with.But at least they were the right things to do long term, so they win the benefit of the doubt get-out-of-jail-free card.

author: Stonent
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 10, 2013, 06:41:05 am
content: Let's just make everything a kick starter. Then only people who care will pay.

author: GreyWoolfe
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: November 10, 2013, 06:26:44 pm
content: Dave, you don't have it quite right. Politicians don't think at all, they are too busy standing around with their hands out waiting for the next "contribution" from special interest groups.Tom, NW0LF

author: moepower
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: November 11, 2013, 05:38:37 am
content: Makes you wonder how JFK spurred USA's R&D toward landing on the moon, even after his death. They had less bureaucracy I suppose, and the incentive to beat the Russians.I work in R&D for Defence, and I think it also has to do with risk aversion. No one wants to take any risks to push the boundaries.

author: walshms
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: November 12, 2013, 09:02:59 pm
content: Quote from: moepower on November 11, 2013, 05:38:37 amI think you've about hit the nail on the head here. It was almost certainly about geopolitical concerns and not about the science or pushing the frontier. There was an "enemy", and there was a perceived need to outdo them at almost any cost.QuoteAbsolutely true today. You won't find much interest at all in political circles for taking the kinds of risks that we need to take to push the boundaries; it comes back to what Dave said, which is that politicians generally don't think beyond the next election cycle. They want to keep their jobs more than anything else, and dealing with constituent interests is really just a necessary evil.The only solution is for people of conscience, people who care about these things, to excite and inspire the electorate -- and get themselves elected to office. It would take one hell of an effort, especially in the US, but it's not completely out of the realm of possibility. The only real problem there is that most people of conscience wouldn't consider taking on the "dirty" job of political office...

author: Stonent
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 12, 2013, 09:48:07 pm
content: We can sent our giant phallic device into space further and longer than the commies can.