# Interview for the post of Federal Director of Scientific Research **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [August 29, 2006, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/interview-for-the-post-of-federal-director-of-scientific-research/370676 "2006-08-29T15:31:11Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2006, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/interview-for-the-post-of-federal-director-of-scientific-research/370676/1 "2006-08-29T15:31:11Z")
Imagine there was a sea change in American politics and culture, and people began to value science as much as football is now. Further imagine that the next president decides to create a directorate of scientific research comparable in authoritiy to the chairman o the federal reserve, with six-year-term. Congress approves and gives the new department a budget equal to that of the Department of Education: [$about $60 billion for 2006, if you trust Wikipedia](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Department_of_State). The new department’s brief is both to conduct research under its own aegis and to encourage private research in such fields as the Director and his staff see fit. Finally imagine that you up for the Directorate. What are your priorities? What would your philosophy be? Where would you like to see that $60 billion go during your first year? What will you seek to do over your first term? ---
**Author:** ![Anaamika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2006, 3:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/interview-for-the-post-of-federal-director-of-scientific-research/370676/2 "2006-08-29T15:44:55Z")
Find aliens! …I guess I’m not hired, am I? Aliens are the one place where I suspend all disbelief and just _believe_. Nothing silly, like they’re watching us or anything, but just that they exist. I know they’re out there. We’re not special. We’re NOT the only ones. The truth is out there! ---
**Author:** ![Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2006, 3:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/interview-for-the-post-of-federal-director-of-scientific-research/370676/3 "2006-08-29T15:47:37Z")
[QUOTE=Anaamika] Find aliens!! [/QUOTE] All $60 billion dollars a year? ---
**Author:** ![Anaamika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2006, 3:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/interview-for-the-post-of-federal-director-of-scientific-research/370676/4 "2006-08-29T15:51:02Z")
I guess I only answered your last question - “What will you seek to do over your first term?” ---
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2006, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/interview-for-the-post-of-federal-director-of-scientific-research/370676/5 "2006-08-29T16:20:11Z")
Improved photovoltaic cells. Develop garbage-sorting technology for recycling. Use satellite technology (borrowed from the NSA) to locate ruins similar to Pompei. That is, volcano-buried cities. ---
**Author:** ![Smeghead](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f1d935/32.png) [@Smeghead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smeghead)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2006, 1:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/interview-for-the-post-of-federal-director-of-scientific-research/370676/6 "2006-08-30T01:22:27Z")
I don’t know how I’d phrase the questions, but my priority would be to find someone dedicated to supporting good, solid science that’s as free as possible from political influences. While I’m at it, I’d also like a pony to fly me to work.