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It would be absolutely shocking if the US managed to mess up its incredible lead in scientific research. But like all things, it is the product of a consistent policy environment. If that environment changes, one day people will be writing thinkpieces about the golden age of US universities.

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That is exactly what Germany did with its scientists in the 1930s/1940s.

I am not attempting to draw any parallels between governments or ideologies here. My goal is to state the obvious: such a self-inflicted brain drain has happened before and it will happen again unless we learn from history, which we (humans) rarely do.

If the rest of the world spends zero money on the research areas being cut, then no lead is lost.

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