Anyone Else Staying Up For The CERN Announcement About The Higgs Boson Tonight?

[DaShi]

Good sense, it seems.

[self biased]

When has that ever stopped you in the past?

own goal.

[DaShi]

Wow! Sorry, I didn't know I struck such a nerve on this topic. Just ignore that post then.

[Ben Kenobi]

Because it pays Jon's salary?

And that sums up Jon's case exactly. Why would he support getting off the government teat when it feeds him? If someone promised him free money to do what he enjoys, why would he say no, or even say that he thought it was wrong.

See, JonM - bias cuts both ways - someone who is supportive of the system as it is, is doing just that - supporting the system that works for him. He is not 'unbiased' by any stretch of the definition.

[Ben Kenobi]

I'm for spending a certain limited amount on basic science and allowing those most knowledgeable in the fields to influence how to spend the cash.

Spend who's cash? Your cash, or my cash? Shouldn't I get to make a decision as to where my cash goes?

[Ben Kenobi]

You aren't a buyer.

In the free market - the only ones who buy something are those that want something. You want a studio for the performing arts? Sure. Is a studio for the performing arts worth more to you than a whataburger and coke tonight?

Where do you spend your scarce dollars? You spend them where it benefits you the most. This is why scientific research should be governed by the same principle. If people want to spend money on a LHC, then great - let them spend their own money and not other people's money.

The reason you don't want to do this, is because deep down, you know that most people do not want to pay for your research, and don't value it enough to provide you with a comfortable living doing what you want. I get that. That's why in the real world, you'd have to do something detestable like marketing.

There are many, many of us who run our own cottage industries - funded by other forms of work. We have to do the work that is demanded before we can indulge in our own hobbies, and direct research there. The lucky ones find a patron willing to support them in their work. That usually means making sacrifices in other areas, because the less that you spend, the less you have to sell yourself and the more time you get to do your work.

KH gets that - there's nothing stopping him, once he becomes financially comfortable, from taking up his old research again on his own time.

[dannubis]

Spend who's cash? Your cash, or my cash? Shouldn't I get to make a decision as to where my cash goes?

Funny, you babling about freedom of choice.

[Jon Miller]

The goods in this case are public.

JM

[Guynemer]

Spend who's cash? Your cash, or my cash? Shouldn't I get to make a decision as to where my cash goes?

That's what voting is for.

[Ben Kenobi]

That's what voting is for.

Aside from Ron Paul, who else would agree with this?

[Ben Kenobi]

The goods in this case are public.

Solyndra was a public good? It was good for the owner, but that's about it.

[Ben Kenobi]

Funny, you babling about freedom of choice.

What's so surprising? I'm basically the unholy lovechild of Ron Paul fiscally and santorum socially.

[Lorizael]

Solyndra was a public good? It was good for the owner, but that's about it.

[giblets]

Solyndra was a public good? It was good for the owner, but that's about it.

I don't think manufacturing solar panels is an example of 'basic science'. You really have made no effort to understand what Jon Miller is saying if you think saying 'Solyndra' is some sort of rebuttal.

[kentonio]

What's so surprising? I'm basically the unholy lovechild of Ron Paul fiscally and santorum socially.

..and Glen Beck mentally, yes we know.