The SLEDGE-A-TORIAL: No 'Peer Review' Needed for Science!

A lot of people are upset about the size of the budget these days. But people can't seem to decide what exactly is the "discretional spending" that can be excised without much trouble or fervour.

This man, Representative Lamar Smith...

...who, judging by this picture, barely realizes where he is, thinks that we spend WAY TOO MUCH on National Science Foundation, mainly on research that doesn't supposedly "meet national priorities."

It's called the High Quality Research Act, and it's currently in it's draft stage.

Here are some of it's most egregious bits:


- Does away with the Peer Review Process

Because don't YOU hate it when others try to make sure your research isn't bullshit?


- Discounts the importance of research duplication

Really?


- Scientists cannot independently verify experimental results from other laboratories

So, it's "one and done," huh? No need to check to make sure the results aren't COMPLETELY WRONG I guess.

But don't worry. This Rep is COMPLETELY on the level.  After all, he's on the SCIENCE comitee:

Not only that... HE'S THE CHAIRMAN!

Also, for those who are unaware, this is also the main guy behind CISPA.

THAT ended up being REAL popular.


But how much money would we be saving making sure things meet this criteria?  Hell, how much do we SPEND on the National Science Foundation?  A whopping 0.2%.

That's right.  Gut the entire scientific method out of research, and make these 'conclusions' unverifiable, and save pennies off the already pitiful amount we spend on science.

Unless it's military science.  Then it's a blank check.