Following the 9/11 attacks, America switched resources away from fundamental, ‘blue skies’ research and concentrated more on applied technologies to combat terrorism.
Scientists argue that the shift away from fundamental research makes it harder for them to develop the innovative products that the American economy needs. They are also concerned that the emphasis on defence technologies has led to more scientific secrecy. Others say that the scientists are being too pessimistic, and that there’s no reason why new products cannot be developed out of applied scientific research.
