Scientists encourage us to question everything, apply critical reasoning, scientific methods and avoid at all cost accepting dogmas. Critical thinking is exactly the approach mankind needs. These are the rules on which our civilisation was built. No discussion about it.

However, having observed the whole March for Science movement for a while I am under impression that we are missing out one important facet of these March for Science protests, namely how science should be funded.

I can understand the science is an important, if not the most important branch of human activity. I can understand that science is at the forefront of technological advances. I can understand that humanity owes its current position in the universe mostly to scientific methods exercised by scientists through millennia. I can even understand that for some scientists, less popular perhaps, that cannot easily commercialise their research or don’t get invited to popular science festivals, getting the government funding is a true, darwinistic struggle for survival. I can understand that. Scientists have stomachs too. Fine.

But what I cannot understand is a widespread belief, and I stress that word, belief, amongst March for Science movement that taxpayers duty is to fund scientific research.

Why?

Why should taxpayers fund scientific research? They surely could fund it but it’s their choice. What makes scientists participating in March for Science movement believe that taxpayers should fund scientific research?

Much as I admire science I think that such a conviction is harmful.

Taxpayers are Patrons of Science. And as patrons they should be cherished and treated with respect. So if scientists want to get anything from taxpayers, then scientist should ask taxpayers politely with a big grin on their faces, instead of taking it to the streets with anger and noise. Otherwise it’s a borderline extortion that criminals would resort to.

And last thing, because so many of scientists don’t show any awareness of what is the proportion between taxpayers-funded research and research funded by private companies.

Well, here’s a thing, in many countries, including USA, privately-funded research is way bigger than government-funded research, so yes, it’s definitely possible for science to exist outside of the government cradle.

Source: https://scienceogram.org/blog/2013/05/science-technology-business-government-g20/