Hundreds of federal scientists miss conferences in shutdown

Associated Press ^ | January 6, 2019 | Claire Galofaro

[Olog-hai]

The world’s largest airborne observatory was supposed to be parked in Seattle this week, so thousands of scientists attending the “Super Bowl of Astronomy” could behold this marvel: a Boeing 747 outfitted with a massive telescope used to study the fundamental mysteries of the universe.

But conference-goers will not be able to see NASA’s space-exploring plane. Its visit to the 233^rd Meeting of the American Astronomical Society was canceled, one of a growing list of scientific casualties of the partial government shutdown now stretching into its third week.

Along with the plane, hundreds of government scientists are also no longer allowed to attend the conference or two other major scientific gatherings scheduled to begin this week. Those meetings will address pressing issues in the fields of technology, space exploration, extreme weather and climate change.

But the shutdown’s impact on science stretches well beyond the empty chairs at this week’s conferences, said Keith Seitter, executive director of the American Meteorological Society. It means some of the nation’s smartest scientific minds are sitting at home, not doing science, for weeks, with no clear end in sight. …

[Olog-hai]

That phrase, “federal scientists” . . .

[Lurker]

Still not giving a damn.

L

[Cowboy Bob]

It means some of the nation’s smartest scientific minds are sitting at home, not doing science, for weeks, with no clear end in sight. …

I suggest they re-start the midnight basketball leagues.

[Ann Archy]

Oh, the HUMANITY!!! FEDERAL scientists....hmmmmm…..HOW MANY?? HUNDREDS?

[OttawaFreeper]

Well, hoping that the mission to Saturn will not be affected.

[Olog-hai]

The only reactions that stories like this provoke out of me are laughter and scorn.

[Vinnie]

Whew! The Country is safer for a few more months.

[mindburglar]

Like Bill Nye, Neil deGrasse Tyson and Peter Venkman?

[21twelve]

I'm guessing two-thirds of the scientists are pissed. Those that were going to give talks to promote their names, and those that were going to see some of the sights and drink.

One-third probably are glad they didn't have to leave their family to have rubber-chicken dinners and listen to boring talks.

While it is important to know what is going on in one’s various fields of endeavors, I'm not sure conferences are the most useful way of doing it. Yes, there can be many interesting presentations, but I doubt much of it sinks in or is useful.

[Olog-hai]

The last is the most scientific out of those three.

[familyop]

"...extreme weather and climate change...It means some of the nation’s smartest scientific minds are sitting at home...for weeks, with no clear end in sight."

See? They're bums! They should get real jobs, so they can make us some sammiches!

[Olog-hai]

I don't recall the country’s greatest inventions coming out of “federal scientists”. I wouldn’t even credit our intarwebs to so-called “federal” science; computers and telephony are private-sector developments.

Back in 2014, the first integrated circuit (made by a Texas Instruments engineer back in 1958) failed to make its reserve bid an an auction. Really shows how genuine scientific developments are regarded these days.

[sten]

hundreds of government scientists are also no longer allowed to attend the conference or two other major scientific gatherings scheduled to begin this week

'allowed'? more like not appearing as it won't be covered by the federal govt.

they could always travel there on their own dime. nothing stopping them

[MAGAthon]

one of the funniest pieces I’ve read in ages.

AP enables all the pompous trash talk.

[Maris Crane]

I really like starting a Monday with cheerful news.

[Truth29]

Oh, the horror. I guess self parody is completely lost on these little socialists.

[Libloather]

...not doing science...

Can I get paid for that?

[bmwcyle]

Good news

[zipper]

I’m guessing they’re all happy since they’ll stay at home and they’ll eventually get paid anyway, except for the per diem.

And I’m happy since they cam’t plot against us.

[chimera]

It means some of the nation’s smartest scientific minds are sitting at home, not doing science, for weeks, with no clear end in sight. …

They might be "sitting at home", but quite a few would probably deny that they were not "doing science". One of the faculty on my graduate committee was a theoretical physicist and except for scheduled contact hours in class and in his office, he "did most of his work at home". I know I had to go there any number of times to meet with him. So in his and probably a good number of other cases "sitting at home" was precisely what he did best.