Discussion Overview
The discussion centers on the total spending on quantum mechanics research over the last decade, exploring the availability of data and the relevance of such statistics for academic purposes, particularly in the context of dissertations. Participants seek references and insights into funding sources and the broader implications of quantum mechanics spending.
Discussion Character
- Exploratory
- Debate/contested
- Technical explanation
Main Points Raised
- Some participants are searching for specific papers or references that detail financial expenditures on quantum mechanics research over the past ten years.
- One participant expresses a desire to justify the importance of quantum mechanics study in their dissertation by referencing current spending, suggesting that statistics on spending in quantum mechanics specifically may not exist.
- Another participant notes that funding for quantum mechanics research may be intertwined with broader categories such as high energy physics or condensed matter physics, complicating the identification of specific expenditures.
- Several links to resources, including NSF and NIST, are shared as potential avenues for finding relevant data, although it is acknowledged that these may encompass a wider range of research than just quantum mechanics.
- One participant argues that quantifying spending on quantum mechanics is vague, comparing it to spending on fundamental concepts like algebra.
- Another points out that spending related to quantum mechanics could also be reflected in funding for industries such as semiconductors, indicating that many areas of modern science incorporate elements of quantum mechanics.
Areas of Agreement / Disagreement
Participants generally agree that specific statistics on spending in quantum mechanics may be difficult to isolate, and multiple competing views exist regarding the categorization and relevance of such spending. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the availability of precise data.
Contextual Notes
Limitations include the potential overlap of quantum mechanics funding with other fields, the vagueness of defining spending on quantum mechanics, and the reliance on broader research categories that may not specifically highlight quantum mechanics expenditures.