How capitalism corrupts science - blog entry

[Zweistein]

In case anyone else wants to share this with their scientist friends, here are the links to the articles:

Edwards & Roy (2017): https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5206685/

Meagan Day's article: https://jacobinmag.com/2018/07/capitalism-science-research-academia-funding-publishing

Especially the Edwards & Roy (2017) paper is a good one to share, because there is a chance that people might actually cite it ;-)

 

 

Edited July 22, 2018 by Zweistein

[Zweistein]

P.S. Also, I'm wondering who is (or used to be) a scientist here and what do you think about this topic?

For me, it was one of the reasons to leave science behind (I used to work in Earth & Planetary Sciences). Then I worked in industry and got sick of the maximizing profits attitude. So, after that I decided to start my own business, which failed miserably because of several different reasons (stress & health issues plus being a woman and mother of 2 kids while working in nanotechnology is not a good combination ;-). 

I would seriously love to do some science and research again, but I wouldn't dare to go back at this point exactly because of all of the reasons summarized in these papers above!  Well, I guess nowadays I research whatever I want anyways - which gives me so much more freedom 

 

Edited July 22, 2018 by Zweistein

[George Fil]

@Zweistein Doesn't this happens everywhere today, in any kind of business or Institution? Quantity over quality, sink or swim, ''healthy bottom lines'' etc

I think the devil is in the details. Although i am not a fan, Capitalism is a model, actually the best we ever had in action. So the problem is, that now is growing like cancer with no limits.

The solution may not be to criticize the obvious but to prove that modified versions of controlled capitalism can actually work.

We have to show new modified versions of sustainable growth that actually work.

Then the rest will follow. 

[Zweistein]

@George Fil I completely agree! I'm working for a social business nowadays ? 

The profits go into hiring more people and back into the business itself. But will it be sustainable - that's the big question! Marketing is not easy! 

Maybe I should add that it's an environment-friendly business, too. We make useful items and art out of things others have thrown away (that's called #upcycling and #trashart - feel free to "ecosia-google" it). Really cool stuff! ?

Edited July 22, 2018 by Zweistein

[George Fil]

@Zweistein Very Interesting!

As an Accountant i went directly to the financial statements and it seems thinks are going pretty good for a groundbreaking idea such this. 

Personally i am moving to Amsterdam to involve in social entrepreneurship/ conscious business for a couple of years.

 Hope to find great business ideas such as this. 

[Brent]

@Zweistein

This is a big problem but it is not Capitalism, it is Greed and Materialism. Capitalism is under attack by liberal democrats, especially as Trump is now seen as the poster child for it. Capitalism recently has taken a hit by "child labor" advocates AS IF it were responsible instead of poverty. 

In a wealthy society, there is little need for children to have to work, there are also more funds available for research and whatnot. Capitalism as just become the newest scapegoat to try to make conservatism look bad, if the pendulum swings it swings towards socialism and believe me, that does not open the doors for research, all it does is give the government more power. 

Greed and Materialism and the advertising that supports them are the culprits and there is no political solution because politics itself is corrupted by the same greed and materialism and power. 

[Zweistein]

2 hours ago, Brent said:

@Zweistein

This is a big problem but it is not Capitalism, it is Greed and Materialism. Capitalism is under attack by liberal democrats, especially as Trump is now seen as the poster child for it. Capitalism recently has taken a hit by "child labor" advocates AS IF it were responsible instead of poverty. 

In a wealthy society, there is little need for children to have to work, there are also more funds available for research and whatnot. Capitalism as just become the newest scapegoat to try to make conservatism look bad, if the pendulum swings it swings towards socialism and believe me, that does not open the doors for research, all it does is give the government more power. 

Greed and Materialism and the advertising that supports them are the culprits and there is no political solution because politics itself is corrupted by the same greed and materialism and power. 

I believe you. I grew up in Eastern Germany - I was 12 years old when the wall fell. So, no - I wouldn't want communism back - of course not! 

I believe that all we can do is heal our inner wounds and if we are lucky it heals humanity, too.

[Zweistein]

12 hours ago, George Fil said:

@Zweistein Very Interesting!

As an Accountant i went directly to the financial statements and it seems thinks are going pretty good for a groundbreaking idea such this. 

Personally i am moving to Amsterdam to involve in social entrepreneurship/ conscious business for a couple of years.

 Hope to find great business ideas such as this. 

@George Fil Why are you choosing Amsterdam? Isn't it expensive to live there plus there are so many tourists? 

 

[George Fil]

@Zweistein  Yes the life may be little expensive there and in some districts they indeed have many tourists.

However:

1) It has a big start up scene, new ideas new businesses, conscious businesses etc

2) You can find more easily a job in English as expat, in Germany and other countries is more difficult you have to know the Native Language to work

3) We are going to move with my gf (she will go for a  Msc) so we will stay as students with half rent and accommodation expenses.

4) It has also cheap high quality Msc Courses in Businesses, that i may choose start in my Second year.

After all It is an opportunity to leave my blue stage country.  I am thinking the last 4 years and now is the time.

Thanks for the interest btw 

[Zweistein]

@George Fil

Yeah, you are right - I wish you all the best! Moving to another country is an incredible learning experience!