more on The Drumbeat Continues: SJ Merc News on DARPA IT R&D and Universities

[David Farber <dave () farber net>]

------ Forwarded Message
From: Tice DeYoung <ticed () bellatlantic net>
Date: Mon, 18 Apr 2005 10:23:35 -0400
To: <dave () farber net>, Ip <ip () v2 listbox com>
Cc: <ticed () bellatlantic net>
Subject: Re: [IP] The Drumbeat Continues: SJ Merc News on DARPA IT R&D and
Universities

Dave,

    I think everyone who enters national politics should be required
to read the 1949 book titled, "Modern Arms and Free Men" by Vannevar
Bush.  He was Director of Scientific Research and Development, a
predecessor of DARPA.  In the book he shows the clear need to
maintain basic R&D at the university level.  For those unable to get
it, there is a 1985 Greenwood Press Reprint.  I am appalled by the
lack of understanding of this need by the past four Administrations
and, for the most part, by Congress as well.

    If DARPA does not want to invest in basic R&D, then a civilian
agency should be created that does and a substantial amount of its
funding should come out of DARPA's  current budget.  This has been
discussed at length, it is now time to start acting, before the U.S.
falls so far behind we cannot catch up.

    FYI, there is an 8-10 year time frame for basic research to lead
to products.  For those who look only at the bottom line, there have
been articles published previously about the return on investment.
If my memory serves me correctly, or at least somewhat, DARPA spent
on the order of $1 Billion from 1968-1993 and this led directly to
about half of the then computer hardware, software and networking
sales of $50 Billion.  That is a whopping 2,500 percent return on
investment, something every Congressman, Senator and President should
find worthwhile.

Tice

------ End of Forwarded Message


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