How government created a 'scientific-technological elite'

The Trump administration's plans to slash science funding could end up liberating researchers from the corrupting influence Dwight Eisenhower warned about.

https://reason.com/video/2025/05/19/e...
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In his iconic 1961 farewell address, President Dwight D. Eisenhower famously warned Americans about the military-industrial complex—but that wasn’t all. He also cautioned against a growing "scientific, technological elite" dominating national policy through federal funding.

What happens when science becomes politicized? When peer review rewards conformity, not discovery? And when government grants replace private innovation?

This video dives into the hidden costs of federally funded science—and explores how private labs, bold inventors, and decentralized innovation have historically led to the biggest breakthroughs, from Edison and the Wright Brothers to Silicon Valley and AI labs today.

Video Producer: Zach Weissmueller
Video Editor: John Osterhoudt
Graphics: Lex Villena

Photo credits: MARILYN HUMPHRIES, MARILYN HUMPHRIES/2025 Marilyn Humphries/Newscom; Ron Adar, M10s/ZUMAPRESS/Newscom; Brian Branch Price/ZUMAPRESS/Newscom; Jim West/UCG/Universal Images Group/Newscom; Don & Melinda Crawford/Don and Melinda Crawford/UCG/Universal Images Group/Newscom; Michael Siluk/UCG/Universal Images Group/Newscom; Gina M Randazzo/ZUMAPRESS/Newscom; Thomas Müller/dpa/picture-alliance/Newscom; Chris Kleponis - Pool via CNP/Newscom; Jim LoScalzo - Pool via CNP/ZUMAPRESS/Newscom

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