tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24631933.post2916909035065248394..comments2024-03-28T11:17:46.306-04:00Comments on Arrowhead Alpines Blog: Scientists (not) talking to gardenersJosephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14433418903218452909noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24631933.post-74789635188116834812010-02-05T09:35:54.036-05:002010-02-05T09:35:54.036-05:00Good points, Redhead! There is a strong bias towar...Good points, Redhead! There is a strong bias towards "fundamental" research -- that is what gets the big grants, while applying that fundamental research to the real world is seen as far less important -- and gets FAR less funding.<br /><br />Tina, I see your point, though I'm not sure I agree: I'd be willing to bet that people who know how to keep plants alive buy LOTS more of them than people who can't. And regardless, we do get to do this cool thing called voting. Businesses can try and bombard us with ads, and lobby, and all -- but we do still get to vote. We (clumsily, inexpertly) control the government, not the other way around.Josephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14433418903218452909noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24631933.post-42129258816502489412010-02-04T18:40:20.023-05:002010-02-04T18:40:20.023-05:00You neglected the bit about the university taking ...You neglected the bit about the university taking half of the money that professors bring in, so professors have to ask for double what they actually need. Or at least that's how it is at UTAustin. Yay.<br /><br />Research tends to be "low level" (i.e., closer to the carbons in the laboratory than the soil in my backyard) and difficult for the general public to relate to regardless of field. Just look at psychology research (social, developmental, clinical, etc.), and you'll quickly see how unusable it would be for the general public even though it's psychology! There are only a few researchers who make their research usable, which is a bit like selling out.<br /><br />Maybe scientists should listen to gardeners. ;)NotSoAngryRedHeadhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11483848154656500575noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24631933.post-75040952467552913312010-02-04T14:55:17.988-05:002010-02-04T14:55:17.988-05:00And why would government want to do that? If every...And why would government want to do that? If everyone could actually keep all those plants growing in their homes, it would cut into the business side of things - we wouldn't buy more from the businesses and they wouldn't get the taxes from those purchases. It's a big old circle due to the almighty green - pun intended. As more and more go out the door to replace those that die, the happier businesses and government are.<br />I certainly don't agree with the way it works, but there it is anyway.Tinahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17527514833267869251noreply@blogger.com