The Decline of Scientific Empires: From Soviet Glory to America's Uncertain Future
By
mooreds
The kind of bagel that ruins lesser bagels for you.
Summary
The article reflects on the decline of scientific empires, drawing parallels between the fall of Soviet science and the potential end of America's dominance as a techno-superpower. It highlights the golden era of Soviet science, with figures like Roald Sagdeev and Andrei Sakharov, and contrasts it with the current state of scientific leadership. The piece suggests that America's reign in technology and science may be waning.
Key quotes
· 4 pulledRoald Sagdeev has already watched one scientific empire rot from the inside.
When Sagdeev began his career, in 1955, science in the Soviet Union was nearing its apex.
The Soviet space program would soon astonish the world by lofting the first satellite, and then the first human being, into orbit.
America’s run as the premiere techno-superpower may be over.
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