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The Macroscience Podcast
Metascience 101 - EP2: “Is Science Slowing Down?”
Sep 17, 2024
Join economist Matt Clancy, Stripe co-founder Patrick Collison, and OpenPhil CEO Alexander Berger as they explore whether scientific progress is really slowing down. They discuss the challenges in measuring scientific breakthroughs, revealing a paradox of increasing funding yet declining impact. The conversation dives into how historical evidence, evolving practices, and innovations like AI may influence future advancements. With insights on institutional reforms and diverse funding, they argue for a renewed focus on enhancing scientific productivity.
01:18:48
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Quick takeaways
- Despite increased funding and researcher numbers, the quality and significance of scientific breakthroughs are perceived to be declining.
- Measuring scientific progress is challenging, as current metrics indicate a decrease in research quality and novel contributions over time.
Deep dives
Science's Rate of Progress
Science is experiencing a slowdown in per capita breakthroughs despite a significant increase in funding and the number of researchers since the Second World War. The discussion highlights that although the total output of scientific research may be rising, the quality and significance of discoveries per individual scientist seem to be diminishing. Surveys of scientists across disciplines, such as physics, chemistry, and biology, indicate that recently achieved breakthroughs are perceived to be of constant or even declining significance. This suggests a troubling trend where more researchers and funding do not necessarily equate to more impactful scientific progress.
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Discover
highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode