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Mark Histed
@markhisted.org

It is sad that Scott Atlas doesn’t understand basic economics. Paul Samuelson wrote about public goods—why NIH has been such a stunning success—more than 75 yrs ago. Also, to see why Atlas urges ending US success, just look at who elevates him: pro-privatization billionaires. 1/

Mark Histed
@markhisted.org

The reason the US has such a powerful science and innovation ecosystem is simple: decades of public investment (via largely independent agencies, including NIH and NSF). Basic science builds future cures over a timeline too long for the private sector. /3 www.infotimes.us/basic-scienc...

infotimes.usBasic Science Is The Foundation Of Future CuresInjecting partisan politics into American basic science would be terrible for the US: for the economy, and for development of future treatments for diseases like schizophrenia and Alzheimer's.

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Mark Histed
@markhisted.org

Now, why is Atlas writing this? I’m not saying he doesn’t believe it, he probably does. I’m just saying he wouldn’t have his recent career if he didn’t say things that benefit rightwing billionaires. Hoover, AIER, Trump 1 …

Mark Histed
@markhisted.org

now he’s writing an anti-society pro-privatization article in the conservative Bezos Post. This book describes how far-right billionaires have pushed to harm democracy using “stealth politics” - lifting up junk ideas via thinktanks and rightwing media. press.uchicago.edu/ucp/books/bo...

press.uchicago.eduBillionaires and Stealth PoliticsIn 2016, when millions of Americans voted for Donald Trump, many believed his claims that personal wealth would free him from wealthy donors and allow him to “drain the swamp.” But then Trump appointe...