Shouldn't the NSF offer competitive prizes for finding these things? – Space/Science – HabitableZone

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Space/Science » in reply to A new planet

Shouldn't the NSF offer competitive prizes for finding these things?

~tax leech — 7/9/2004 4:59:43 PM (archived)

Shouldn't the NSF offer competitive prizes for finding these planets? As Burt Rutan is fond of saying, prizes leverage around 40 times their amount in terms of investment pursuing them. There are exceptions, though. DARPA's $1 million dollar Grand Challenge didn't adhere to that rule, as numerous teams were excluded from the competition and the couple of dozen or so teams which were allowed to compete collectively invested FIFTY times the prize amount pursuing the prize.

How about a SETI prize to rival the asteroid watch prizes that already exist? In comparison to the status quo, what are the drawbacks to having the NSF embrace this new procurement model?

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The whole thread (37 posts)

A new planet - Raoul - 7/9/2004 4:27:17 PM
- Shouldn't the NSF offer competitive prizes for finding these things? - ~tax leech - 7/9/2004 4:59:43 PM
  - Do you understand ANYTHING about science? - R.L. - 7/10/2004 3:43:31 PM
    - R.L., why do you maliciously fear having to win PRIZES in order to get to leech more of our tax dollars? - ~tax leech - 7/11/2004 4:43:31 PM
      - You demonstrate your stupidity better than I can... You obviously have NO CLUE as to how research dollars are awarded - R.L. - 7/11/2004 11:13:00 PM
        
        While we're on the topic of stupidity... - E.P. Grondine - 7/14/2004 2:05:39 AM
        
        Funny thing is, E.P. .... - R.L. - 7/14/2004 8:22:28 AM
        
        The insane thing is, R.L. ... - E.P. Grondine - 7/14/2004 3:01:57 PM
        
        You're right, RL's sociopathic posts do make us space fans seem like the fringe element in our democracy. - ~tax leech - 7/14/2004 6:30:28 PM
        
        R.L.'s got a point... - Tom Brosz - 7/12/2004 12:20:41 AM
        
        Prizes reward RESULTS and leverage 40 times their amount in investment pursuing them. - ~tax leech - 7/12/2004 2:40:01 AM
        
        Everyone, please read Rich's second paragraph above... I think that says it all about who this guy is (n/t) - R.L. - 7/12/2004 9:02:50 AM
        
        You're right (for once). Unlike you, Rich is no effiminate, bored, tax-leeching coward. - ~tax leech - 7/12/2004 6:28:27 PM
        
        Doesn't your nonsequitur-laden, substanceless response validate my hypothesis? - ~tax leech - 7/11/2004 11:42:49 PM
        
        I never lied on this you moron... LISTEN CAREFULLY KIDDO - R.L. - 7/12/2004 10:20:04 PM
        
        So you get paid with government contract money but aren't a tax leech. I see. - ~tax leech - 7/13/2004 1:22:48 AM
        
        Paid by government = tax leech? In DC maybe - but not in my universe (n/t) - Daniel - 7/13/2004 5:53:16 AM
        
        As if your childishly insecure challenge to 'wrasle' me isnt a non sequitur? - R.L. - 7/12/2004 10:24:57 AM
        
        no it doesn't - your own points are virtually lost in vitriolic noise - Daniel L - 7/12/2004 8:04:56 AM
        
        Daniel, can you THINK about the rubbish that you're spewing in defense of tax-leeching R.L.? - ~tax leech - 7/12/2004 6:25:06 PM
        
        he was wrong to abuse you - and vice versa - Daniel - 7/13/2004 5:09:41 AM
        
        You chose the wrong day to slander me as lazy, you twit! - R.L. - 7/12/2004 8:05:50 PM
        
        6 straight days at14,000 feet, 2/3rd atmospheric pressure, and likely to do the same for the next 4 days so whats your work schedule like, Rich? - R.L. - 7/12/2004 8:36:09 PM
        
        Some of us have to work to pay your grant-supported salary, tax-leech. - ~tax leech - 7/13/2004 4:23:47 AM
        
        You are deliberately lying and claimin I am saying the opposite of what I said- there is no point debating the insane - R.L. - 7/13/2004 7:52:45 PM
        
        Ah, so prizes are fine as long as YOU don't have to compete for any to get paid? How CONVEEEENIENT. - ~tax leech - 7/14/2004 2:14:11 AM
        
        Actually, Daniel, the last time I was paid by 'The government' was when I was a grad student... - R.L. - 7/12/2004 10:09:54 AM
        
        R.L., why don't you take your sissy fear of prizes proponents to the FLAME BOARD? - ~tax leech - 7/12/2004 6:38:02 PM
        
        Anyone else here think that maybe this guy is in need of medication? (n/t) - R.L. - 7/12/2004 8:57:29 PM
        
        No, I just think he's an angry ideologue - Daniel - 7/13/2004 5:38:40 AM
        
        Lori Garver (a Clinton official) proposed prizes while at NASA HQ. This reform isn't political; it's patriotic. - ~tax leech - 7/13/2004 6:08:43 PM
        
        Your fellow tax leeches, surely. They fear pro-entrepreneurial reforms. - ~tax leech - 7/13/2004 1:30:08 AM
        
        you shouldn't feel you need to explain that, though - Daniel - 7/12/2004 10:56:50 AM
        
        That's B.S. Tax leeches thwart the private sector. Ask MirCorp & Beal. - ~tax leech - 7/12/2004 6:19:55 PM
        
        I do get your point - Daniel - 7/13/2004 5:28:35 AM
        
        That's B.S. Tax leeches thwart the private sector. Ask MirCorp. - ~tax leech - 7/12/2004 6:19:39 PM
  - re: International - Raoul - 7/9/2004 5:28:08 PM

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