Hi, I completely agree with you that the research problem could only be fixed by making our society value research. But that's not the case. I shared one other post, where one postdoc had worked as a forklift. However, the article I believe is not suggesting that research crisis could be fixed by introducing cheap labor. But, it is more of a satirical dig at the Companies and Govt., for encouraging higher education while they are already disinclined to provide them with any livelihood. Govt. wants technology, companies want cheap labor to do quality work... like that. If it is not clear, post your comments on the blog itself....

I don't think this is the right approach. If we are to fix the research problem, it's not going to be by introducing cheaper labor, I think it's by introducing more capital. Our government and our population needs to value research more.

Much like agriculture, there's a huge gap between people consuming a product and knowing where it comes from. People think that a steak or a strawberry magically appear on the shelf in a grocery store, they also have the same disconnect with life saving procedures and drugs. This disconnect also extends to everyday technologies, societal and cultural understandings and a whole host of things we take for granted that research has illuminated or made possible.

I don't think this is the right approach. If we are to fix the research problem, it's not going to be by introducing cheaper labor, I think it's by introducing more capital. Our government and our population needs to value research more.