Column 131
Sunday, December 7, 2008 at 2:42AM
Thomas P.M. Barnett

Revitalizing our national labs for the great technological challenges that lie ahead

As a strategic planner, I'm wary of the "Manhattan project" mindset. In general, I find it escapist at heart -- as in, "Big government, make this problem magically disappear!" But with all this talk of a huge government stimulus package, I find myself warming to the idea. Let me tell you why.

Since 2005, I've advised Oak Ridge National Laboratory on long-range strategic issues, and one thing I've definitely noticed is the staff's pronounced aging. When the average age of your scientists begins to hover around 50 or higher, that's not a good sign for American research and development.

Read on at KnoxNews.
Read on at Scripps Howard.

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