Hi all...I'm new here,
You hit the nail on the head in your closing statement. Research for
reasearch's sake is becomming rare. Top research scientists today are
often engaged by large corporations who's primary concerns are 'next
quarter's profits'. To some degree, this has always been the case, but
today, it's even more so. My industrial roots are planted in basic
research. I know for a fact that a company's research department is not
a profitable division. It's asset is usually only felt indirectly and
usually only if a new and profitable product results from the research
effort and expenditures. Many companies budget research
activities...but grudgingly. In addition, top researchers will
sometimes strike a deal which provides them with a 'piece of the action'
if the research evolves into a viable product. So guess where the
motivations lie. So it should be no mystery that basic research is on
the decline...and it's a very bad thing.
The only group(s) which conduct something resembling basic research is
the military. And that's a sweet 'n sour issue with many.
When it comes to exploring EM theory and all that it can potentially
offer, intellectually and practically, we've only scratched the
surface. We know how to MAKE radar, electic watches, computers, MRIs,
electric motors, etc. There are countless applications. But there are
few answers as to WHY or HOW all of our gadgets REALLY work. For most,
it's enough that they simply work.
So thank goodness for the independent resarchers....like the
experimenters on this list as well as on other lists.
Keep experimenting and building. Take care,
Greg East