Getting funding and the culture of bullshit

[KolaKubes]

This applies to anyone working in science or technology definitely and, I suspect, anyone looking for public funding, whatever the field.

Ridiculous claims for the impact of the work, buzzwords, nonsensical deadlines and costs, dragging in unsuitable colleagues out of political expediency.

It's always less about the merit of the work as a box checking exercise for justifying the spending.

The people applying know it's bullshit, I'm presuming at least some of those in the funding body know it's bullshit so who exactly are they bullshitting?

The taxpayer and their representatives?

Is it as much of a problem in the private sector?

[jd26]

Private sector contracts tend to have two problems depending on the contracting procedure.

When firms know that they are the only plausible vendor, they tend to put in way too much padding to eliminate risk and when those risks don't happen, it's extra profit.

When there is a competitive tendering process going on, firms tend to underbid to try to get the contract. Then because they have to cover their costs and preferably make a profit, shortcuts get taken and/or the schedule slips.

Schedule and cost planning is necessarily better than in the public sector.

Unfortunately, political expediency goes on in terms of having the right project sponsor and placating stakeholders, which means sweetening the deal in some way shape or form. The worst I've seen in this regard was in a company I worked for a decade ago where a management job was given to the mistress of a government minister, even though her only previous experience was as a secretary and there were many better qualified internal candidates. She couldn't hack the work though and resigned after 7 months.

[KolaKubes]

Private sector contracts tend to have two problems depending on the contracting procedure.

When firms know that they are the only plausible vendor, they tend to put in way too much padding to eliminate risk and when those risks don't happen, it's extra profit.

When there is a competitive tendering process going on, firms tend to underbid to try to get the contract. Then because they have to cover their costs and preferably make a profit, shortcuts get taken and/or the schedule slips.

Schedule and cost planning is necessarily better than in the public sector.

Unfortunately, political expediency goes on in terms of having the right project sponsor and placating stakeholders, which means sweetening the deal in some way shape or form. The worst I've seen in this regard was in a company I worked for a decade ago where a management job was given to the mistress of a government minister, even though her only previous experience was as a secretary and there were many better qualified internal candidates. She couldn't hack the work though and resigned after 7 months.

Hmmm, yes, interesting, much as people complain in science about the funding procedure, while there is bullshit, I guess it's put in perspective when compared to what goes on elsewhere.

In science, I think there is increasingly a niche for the professional networker/bullshit artist. They get the credit for bringing in funds, get promoted up the ranks because of that but spend so much time "networking" that their eye is not on the ball when it comes to the work they're supposed to be looking after. A case study in the Peter Principle, perhaps, with competence being inversely proportional to the time spent going to conferences and pointless meetings. Time which is taken away from staying current with the literature and taking a hands on appproach to responsibilities on the ground. I'm finding my current job and interacting with certain colleagues to be very enlightening.

Active and aggressive exposure of the bullshit would seem to be a necessary evil.

[Lamps]

Cutting funding to things science should be looked at til we emerge from these uncharted waters. Obviously the arts needs to go first, plus other forms of waste.

The late late gave away 10 grand last Friday night, plus a load of freebies. Everything must be looked at

[Barry Scott]

Cutting funding to things science should be looked at til we emerge from these uncharted waters.
Its about the only thing we have going for us at the moment

[Lamps]

Its about the only thing we have going for us at the moment

It would be last on my list, but it would be on it.
Waste is the criteria.

For example, what in the name of god were UCC doing building a gallery.

[Barry Scott]

It would be last on my list, but it would be on it.
Waste is the criteria.

For example, what in the name of god were UCC doing building a gallery.
I'm not sure but I think the money for that was donated by an american called Glucksman

[Lamps]

I'm not sure but I think the money for that was donated by an american called Glucksman

I didn't think he paid for this, though I'm aware he gave them money on and off for years. I'm open to correction on this.

[KolaKubes]

Cutting funding to things science should be looked at til we emerge from these uncharted waters. Obviously the arts needs to go first, plus other forms of waste.

The late late gave away 10 grand last Friday night, plus a load of freebies. Everything must be looked at

All credit to wumming but that would be an unmitigated disaster for the country.

Incidentally, the government increased science and technology spending by 3% in the last budget. Fair play. You can get someone pretty bright to work for you in research for barely what they'd get on the dole. That's good value for money in anyone's language. I'm not sure the average telecentre operative is as good bang for buck.

The elephant in the room is the money your average dentist, doctor, vet or lawyer charges for basic services. Apart from sheer greed, I'm sure the first two would complain about the cost of insurance but, then, if we clamped down on the litigation culture perpetuated by the legal profession, we'd cut out that cost as well.

Hugo Chavez would have this sorted in no time. ;)

[shammy feen]

I applied to Enterprise Ireland before for funding for a Phd project....

Little did I know that you need to be a relative / known drinking buddy of the Enterprise Ireland decision maker to get approval..

I wouldnt have bothered filling in the bullshit 20 page fapplication form complete with essay sections had I known...

[jd26]

You can get round that by filling in the preliminary application form (http://www.fiannafail.ie/involved.phpx).