Too many Physics PhDs already!!!

  • This has become our largest and most active forum because the physics GRE is just one aspect of getting accepted into a graduate physics program.
  • There are applications, personal statements, letters of recommendation, visiting schools, anxiety of waiting for acceptances, deciding between schools, finding out where others are going, etc.

Post Reply
User avatar
muonman
Posts: 29
Joined: Wed Aug 27, 2008 7:19 pm

Too many Physics PhDs already!!!

Post by muonman » Sat Nov 15, 2008 9:36 pm

New article on NYTimes titled "What Shortage of Scientists and Engineers?"
http://tierneylab.blogs.nytimes.com/200 ... 1#comments

The comments section is especially insightful. Many current Physics PhDs posting their opinions that there are TOO MANY PhD already!!! Of course, this causes wages to get depressed as supply keeps getting higher and higher...

cato88
Posts: 420
Joined: Wed Sep 03, 2008 12:46 am

Re: Too many Physics PhDs already!!!

Post by cato88 » Sun Nov 16, 2008 12:12 am

The defense/tech industry shouldnt loosen restrictions. This would increase the probability of leaks. If the US cant keep technological breakthroughs to itself then it should not bother spending money in defense research.

User avatar
Helio
Posts: 809
Joined: Thu Mar 15, 2007 7:11 pm

Re: Too many Physics PhDs already!!!

Post by Helio » Sun Nov 16, 2008 1:00 am

cato88 wrote:The defense/tech industry shouldnt loosen restrictions. This would increase the probability of leaks. If the US cant keep technological breakthroughs to itself then it should not bother spending money in defense research.
I guess somebody voted for McCain..

Let be blunt.... ITAR and what not restricts research beyond believe. Grad students can't work on certain projects because things like basic research satellites are hindered from international collaboration because if NASA builds the thing only US citizens can see how it works.. good idea isn't... cause james webb telescope is a weapon of mass destruction

cato88
Posts: 420
Joined: Wed Sep 03, 2008 12:46 am

Re: Too many Physics PhDs already!!!

Post by cato88 » Sun Nov 16, 2008 4:49 am

I didnt mean NASA I meant more along the lines of companies like Lockheed, Northrop, and such that work on weapons systems.

I didnt vote for McCain and not for a third party. If a third party wants to actually succeed it needs to take some senate seats first.

User avatar
zxcv
Posts: 402
Joined: Mon Dec 17, 2007 11:08 pm

Re: Too many Physics PhDs already!!!

Post by zxcv » Sun Nov 16, 2008 5:48 am

cato88 wrote:If the US cant keep technological breakthroughs to itself then it should not bother spending money in defense research.
I agree. Let's share our technology with the world and not bother with military applications :lol:.

User avatar
Helio
Posts: 809
Joined: Thu Mar 15, 2007 7:11 pm

Re: Too many Physics PhDs already!!!

Post by Helio » Sun Nov 16, 2008 7:28 am

cato88 wrote:I didnt mean NASA I meant more along the lines of companies like Lockheed, Northrop, and such that work on weapons systems.

I didnt vote for McCain and not for a third party. If a third party wants to actually succeed it needs to take some senate seats first.
The problem is that any technology that has to do with space is classified as defense related... i am not sure why... hubble and a spy satellite have very little in common when you at applications (okay, one one looks up the other down or one needs glasses the other doesn't). Trust me I seen this crap happen with a nasa project.

I am not sure why it can be restrictive when BAE Systems (british company) owns Tracor (US defense contrator).



Post Reply