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Surprising Editorial in Science Magazine
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By Anonymous Hero
Posted Tue Apr 06, 2004 at 01:03:03 PM PDT
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Science Magazine Considers Why the Predictions of an Impending Shortage of Scientists are Usually Wrong.
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| I was pleasantly surprised to read an editorial in Science, Vol 303, Issue 5661, page 1105 , 20 February 2004. Written by Donald Kennedy, Jim Austin, Kirstie Urquhart, and Crispin Taylor, the editorial, "Supply Without Demand", addresses why the predictions of impending shortages of scientists are often made and usually incorrect. Kennedy et. al. write, "Time after time we have been warned of impending shortages which, with evergreen consistency, are subsequently transformed into gluts, to the dismay of those most affected: the future practitioners of our disciplines."
The editorial mentions how the predictions of the late '80s turned into the glut of scientists (including mathematicians) in the early '90s, and the criticism that arose at that time. But the editorialists write, "The National Science Board has apparently not profited from that harsh lesson," as NSB is calling for increasing the number of scientists who are Americans.
Kennedy et. al. suggest several reasons why these predictions arise every few years, including this critique: "The present situation provides real advantages for the science and technology sector and the academic and corporate institutions that depend on it. We've arranged to produce more knowledge workers than we can employ, creating a labor-excess economy that keeps labor costs down and productivity high."
The complete article can be found at the Science website: www.sciencemag.org. It is available free on that website to visitors who register (a free process). Here's the link to the editorial.
Ed Aboufadel
Grand Valley State University
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