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Why can't we just fund scientists to acheive these goals? Funding has been lacklustre for years.

Because the marketplace is more efficient at directing the funding. I’m not a cheerleader for capitalism either, but it does work better sometimes.

If by more efficient, you mean more efficiently switching to stock buybacks to pad owner pockets outside of tax consequences.

Basically ALL the important inventions and scientific discoveries have been made at publicly funded universities.

Note the title of the article. Now look up where the transistor was invented. And the laser. And photovoltaic cells.

I like public research too, I think there should be a hell of a lot more of it. It just isn't the only viable player.