Comment by constantcrying

>The argument that the shift from corporate research labs (Bell Labs, Xerox PARC, etc.) to stock buybacks killed basic science investment is compelling.

It is not compelling at all. The difference between dividends and share buybacks are not big enough to explain this at all. The argument is totally absurd, companies could always reward their shareholders with their profits.

Bell Labs did not end because of share buybacks, it ended because Bell was broken up and their free money printer did no longer exist.

>If the US is increasingly relying on universities for foundational research, and corporate R&D is only focused on short-term, applied projects, we're definitely running the innovation engine on fumes.

Why? This is just total nonsense. The only difference is the physical location of basic researchers. And that the government decides what to fund. That is literally it.

Basic university research is still funded by corporations. Only they are paying the money to the government, which then decides what to fund.