U-Turn

“One would think that venture capitalists, especially those with ties to the Trump administration, would be the most forceful champions of America’s research universities, given how much these institutions have fueled our careers and fortunes. Instead, many of us are scratching our heads as to why officials from the industry have turned their backs while the government chaotically terminates funding for this work. Harvard and Columbia have been in the headlines, but the hatchet has also fallen on Michigan State in the Midwest and the University of Hawaii farther west. It is as if the V.C.s in Washington had just enjoyed a fine meal in Silicon Valley and decided to skip out on the check.” David Singer, a managing partner at Maverick Ventures, calls out his industry (by pointing out the ways many of them are working against their own self-interest). NYT (Gift Article): White House Tech Bros Are Killing What Made Them (and America) Wealthy.