[carlob]

As an ex-physicist, I think this is very good to keep young minds that would be lured away from physics by the higher salaries elsewhere.

However, having visited IAS, where 4/9 of those guys are faculty I believe they are probably the ones who least need it.

They already are at the top of their career, they've secured a position in one of the most prestigious institutions in the world and they have amazing material conditions. They don't need to take students (they are actually discouraged to do so) and they have access to the most amazing cafeteria!

I'm also pretty sure that the prestige of the institution lands them some pretty good speaking gigs and consulting jobs on top of all that.

I don't mean to sound sour-grapey, but please give this money to people for whom this might actually make a big difference.