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Re: Galileo and Copernicus
Cliff Sloane (cesloane@MAROON.TC.UMN.EDU)
Tue, 23 May 1995 18:25:28 -0500
>
> Very few, very few scientists of any day were able to pursue their
> science because they were independently wealthy. Most, by far, had
> to gain patronage from individuals or, increasingly in the 19th cent.
> from the government or industry.
>
> Brad D. Hume
My thanks to Brad Hume for adding a pinch of historical perspective to
the anti-NSF comments of Mr. Corduan.
Government funding is indeed a form of welfare. So is royal patronage.
So, too, is an ample R&D budget. Why does Mr. Corduan view one form of
subsidy (NSF) to be tainted, while the long legacy of royal patronage, or
generous R&D from the private sector to be less so?
Cliff
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