[dnautics]

Why? Too many scientists. Federal funding (and funding of other nations seeking to improve prestige) has inflated a science bubble. naturally, the number of mediocre scientists has increased like crazy. The low reputation of scientists is well deserved. In fact, I believe it should be even lower. Having many non-science friends, they are very surprised when I inform them that there actually is a ton of fraud and misconduct in science.

Other side effects: Being a scientist is awful. Right now, I've got a PhD, I get paid $20/hour for 40 hours of work a week (I actually put around 70 hours of work in the lab). I don't have health insurance (the irony, I'm being paid by the DOE) and this job actually pays better than the last. I don't have time to date. I want to start a company but I can't because I don't have the finances to do simple experiments at home. My life is basically being deferred.

[moultano]

That seems more like the result of too little funding than too much. I don't understand how you square these too statements.

Too many scientists. Federal funding (and funding of other nations seeking to improve prestige) has inflated a science bubble.

Being a scientist is awful.

To me it seems that the more likely explanation is that people who would have made great scientists aren't attracted to the profession.