Um, This Is Kind of a Big Deal. That Other Thing? Not So Much.

Sure, it was a lot to pack into a single speech.

Yesterday, President Obama covered everything from the Swine Flu to math tests in a speech to the National Academy of Sciences about his administration's innovation policy. But, there was some very specific significant news that came out of it.

Hint: This wasn't it...

"Google’s CEO Gets an Official Seat at President Obama’s Table" (Mashable)

or this:

"Google’s Schmidt and Microsoft’s Mundie Appointed As Obama Tech Advisors" (TechCrunch)

Or many of the similar stories about the PCAST appointments.

Give up?

It was this, from the Financial Times:

Barack Obama on Monday promised to double public funding of scientific research to exceed the level Washington spent during the “space race” unleashed by Dwight Eisenhower and John F. Kennedy 50 years ago.

The US president’s pledge, made in a speech at the National Academy of Sciences in Washington, included a promise to take ideology out of public research following what many scientists saw as the politicisation of science under George W. Bush – particularly in the field of climate change.

Under Mr Obama’s pledge, the US would increase to 3 per cent the proportion of gross domestic product it spends on scientific research and development – roughly the same level as under Kennedy.

Information Week further explains:

Obama in his budget has proposed doubling the budgets for the National Science Foundation, the Department of Energy's Office of Science, and the National Institute of Standards and Technology.

He also introduced a new arm of the Department of Energy, the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Energy, designed to replicate the research success of the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency.

In addition, he said he planned to triple the number of NSF graduate research fellowships.

TechNet applauded the news.

Good for the FT and Information Week, but unfortunate that the Schmidt PCAST appointment, in particular, stepped on what should have been the headline of most of the coverage yesterday. Instead, we got analysis of Google's relationship with the Obama administration and paragraphs like this:

The role doesn't give Schmidt any decision making powers on the federal level. But it does place him in a seat of influence, potentially on issues that impact Google like network neutrality, privacy and copyright.

Actually, yes, no and no. Because, if this were the case, this fellow PCAST member would soon be deep in shaping the future of Internet policy...

Barbara Schaal is Professor of Biology at Washington University in St Louis. She is a renowned plant geneticist who has used molecular genetics to understand the evolution and ecology of plants, ranging from the US Midwest to the tropics.

The usually smart All Things D blog chimes in with:   "(The Schmidt appointment) is one more indication–and the biggest one yet–that Google has become firmly part of the Washington establishment."

Not really and absolutely not.

You see, PCAST is a well-respected body that has been employed by most presidents in the last fifty years or so. But, it is, to its core, a top-notch blue-ribbon panel made up of academics, researchers and select industry folk. Check out what the PCAST team in the Bush White House developed here. And, here is a link to the Clinton PCAST page.

Saying that this is the cherry on top of Google becoming part of the "Washington establishment" is paramount to saying that the "Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences at Harvard University now has the same access to the Obamas as the first puppy." (Daniel Schrag, the Sturgis Hooper Professor of Geology in said department is also a member)

Even with an exponential increase in prioritization from the Obama Administration, PCAST will remain a helpful body that focuses on big picture research issues and ensuring that the country remains competitive by providing balance of innovation incentives and tools for learning. But, it will not be deciding the future of net neutrality.

Comments

[buy isk]

Awesome promo-clip. And Ming-Na is still adorable. Love her since she did voice-acting work for Aki Ross in “Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within”. What a cutie. ^_^

[buy maple story mesos]

PCAST will remain a helpful body that focuses on big picture research issues and ensuring that the country remains competitive by providing balance of innovation incentives and tools for learning.

[aion kinah]

In addition, he said he planned to triple the number of NSF graduate research fellowships.

[buy viagra]

But, it is, to its core, a top-notch blue-ribbon panel made up of academics, researchers and select industry folk. Check out what the PCAST team in the Bush White House developed here. And, here is a link to the Clinton PCAST page.

[Wholesale Dropship]

heeeey can you please tech me how did you do that ?

[online generic viagra]

This is a great honor for Google CEO.People should always be recognized for some contributing things they they have done in their respective fields.

Very happy to have this news.

[e66 white]

When Apple introduces iPad this weekend in the United States, it will cause two distinct responses. The TV news will focus their cameras continuously on the long lines outside the Apple store as well as the Apple fans who are fascinated and attracted by these beautiful and new technological product.The Blemish of eken m003
Begin with Your Disregard

[ray ban sunglasses]

http://www.eightshop.com polo shirts
Your idea coincides with mine.and I think it's better.

[R4 DS]

Like several handheld consoles, the M3 DS can are afflicted with lots of R4DS malfunctions and issues if misused. These types of symptoms may include lines throughout the sport display in the course of play, audio concerns, frequent sport freezes, problems with wi-fi connectivity and R4i multiplayer game play or a faulty touchscreen display. These issues can stem from faulty sport cards resulting from grime buildup, sign interference or perhaps heavy impact that straight damaged your system. If the console set for fix, there r4i card are many troubleshooting actions you need to take.

[buy viagra]

Firstly I would like to send greetings to all readers. After this, I recognize the content so interesting about this article. For me personally I liked all the information.

[ベネトリン]

Hey, Great post

[non-woven fabric]

You put a lot of work into this post and it shows. Loved the pictures, the history, and the gratitude. Thank you.

[glass bottle]

Wonderful! It is true that we don't really appreciate history until we feel ourselves becoming part of it. But at least you have the pictures and this post...maybe your children can benefit from your hindsight (like the rest of us).

[dust mask]

I am really not too familiar with this topic but I do like to visit blogs for layout ideas and interesting topics. You really described a subject that I usually don't care much about and made it very exciting. This is a memorable blog that I will take note of. I already bookmarked it for future reference.

[MBT Shoes]

It's so nice to have you do all of the research for us. It makes our decision making so much easier!! Thanks.

[jordan cool grey]

Thanks for sharing. This website is to I too have to help. Very good.I like the way you write.

[renlewei]

Louis Vuitton "from scratch" minimalist philosophy

[Viagra]

Google is the greatest thing since sliced bread.

[testifyerisback]

Beaucoup de transporteurs augmentés dans l'expédition de fret opérations et de nos jours expéditeurs n'en sont pas plus de temps concentré dans tout des ports mais peut être présent dedans chacun individuel significatif Conurbation industrielle du Royaume-Uni.
http://www.testifyer.com

[cheap columbia jackets]

But, it is, to its core, a top-notch blue-ribbon panel made up of academics, researchers and select industry folk.

Your idea coincides with mine.and I think it's better.

[Michael Kors]

I am so glad this internet thing works and your article really helped me. Might take you up on that home advice you

[poloralphlauren]

Really impressed! Everything is very, very clear, open is a description of the problem. It contains the information.

[Generic Viagra]

Great info! I recently came across your blog and have been reading along. I thought I would leave my first comment. I don’t know what to say except that I have enjoyed reading. Nice blog. I will keep visiting this blog very often.

[Rudy]

Joyce,as always you are right in step with a prgitamac approach to helping solve the Health IT S&I issues facing our nation's healthcare systems. In reality, I believe that most of the decision makers in commercial healthcare IT industry as well as our top Government public health leaders understand one thing pretty well and that is that solving the S&I puzzle is a complex problem where governance and transformation issues still remain unsolved and where technology solutions abound, especially if those solutions incorporate the soundness of IHE Technical Infrastructure and IHE Integration Profiles that don't reinvent languages, standards or technology for technology sake. All other ground is sinking sand You are a voice of reason in an ocean of confusion.V/R,John WolfSr. Director/System Architect

[Yuka]

In 4.1 you also have edit Advanced Config:UserVars:TSM timeout (or somnhtieg similar in that location) to keep ssh running. Remote ssh will be enabled for the period of time set in seconds (I usually set it 300 to 600). This is designed to keep your host more secure by disabling ssh when not needed, and forcing you to enable it when needed. Once a session is established it will not timeout when sshd is disabled.This has got me a few times. Without setting the timeout, it starts then immediatly stops, not what you wanted.