Dr Hossenfelder’s latest book Existential Physics: A Scientist’s Guide to Life’s Biggest Questions has just been published on 2022-08-09. Here is my review of her previous book, Lost in Math.
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Red pilled?
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Does she admit that AGW is a hoax in this video? I stopped watching her quite some time ago, in spite of many recommendations, because she just couldn’t stop mentioning AGW or related aspects as if they aren’t a hoax.
I’m not going to watch that in the hope she’s come around. If she’s only gotten around to doubting AGW, she can stay on my banned list.
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She is admitting the scam nature of government funding of science in the US.
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Unfortunately, Ms. Hossenfelder still has an incurable case of the Global Warming Virus. What else could we expect? – she is German.
It is a strange blind spot in a person who otherwise seems to have her head screwed on right and is not afraid to step outside the consensus.
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Nah, she’s still a leftist but does have some decent insights on the state of physics, and of scientific research in general.
The funny thing about that video is that she can’t connect the dots between the grift that is high-energy physics research and the grift in other areas. Maybe she’ll figure it out eventually.
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My guess is willful blindness
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From ChatGPT:
In her blog post titled “Why Bitcoin Mining is Good for the Environment And why it isn’t” Sabine Hossenfelder explores the complex environmental implications of Bitcoin mining. Initially perceiving Bitcoin mining as environmentally harmful, she delves deeper to uncover a more nuanced reality. Hossenfelder discusses arguments suggesting that Bitcoin mining can incentivize the use of renewable energy and stabilize power grids by utilizing excess energy. Conversely, she acknowledges concerns about its substantial energy consumption and carbon footprint. Ultimately, she presents a balanced view, highlighting that Bitcoin mining environmental impact is multifaceted and context-dependent.
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Oy! Just like paying a man to dig a hole and then fill it back in and thinking you’ve contributed to the economy.
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Why are bitcoin miners digging a hole?
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My estimate is that 10-20% is scam, the rest is solid.
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Does that include medical research bodies like NIH lol
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Even more so.
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The lady makes some good points. But the situation of Academia is similar to that of other institutions which have become dependent on government handouts – What happens when the government runs out of money (or actually, the ability to borrow or print)?
There are quite frequent articles in Chinese media about (usually native Chinese) academics in the West choosing to move to China, where budgets are bigger and students are more motivated. Only governments of productive countries can afford to subsidize scientific research – and no-one can forever subsidize pseudo-academic research into fads like Lesbian Dance.
The best solution for the West would probably be to revise tax & regulatory policies to once again encourage industry to create entities like Bell Labs and Xerox Parc.
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