[PaulDavisThe1st]

It was realized some time ago that having citizens decide to "donate to the research we care about" was not the most efficient way to get the most important research done. So we switched to a system where we pool our resources (taxes), and then use a somewhat complex process (described in TFA) to decide how to allocate them to possible research.

[calvinmorrison]

and those taxes are distributed by our government... which is political. simple as.

[IAmBroom]

You're missing the key distinction here: not only are the seeds selected by a political body, but the active weeding of previously planted seeds is now inherently political.

Both are bad, but one allows some diversity; the other produces a monoculture.

A political monoculture that can be completely upended before even any useful crop is grown, given the nature of a working democracy versus the length of research projects.

And yes, I'm aware that those last two words are no longer guaranteed.

[PaulDavisThe1st]

so it's political ... so what?

[calvinmorrison]

So why should any function of government be free from politics? The point of our system is so we can give feedback and adjust the system

[PaulDavisThe1st]

I don't disagree. I'm not sure what point you're responding to.