U.S. government has lost more than 10k STEM PhDs since Trump took office

Post by [deleted] » Wed, Jan 28, 2026, 7:29 AM UTC

9dev wrote: post #336

actionfromafar wrote: post #331

Earlier quoted context omitted.

China has no free speech and will start flexing its imperial muscle more now that the US is climbing down from the world stage. China is alright if you keep your head down and you're not of the wrong ethnicity, locked up in a work camp and not allowed to have kids, or too openly gay or trans and so on.

Ah, so you do have free speech, I take it? Unless you criticise a certain assassinated far right activist, of course. And don’t even get me started on flexing an imperial muscle. South America and the EU would like a word.

Post by donkeybeer » Wed, Jan 28, 2026, 8:29 AM UTC

kevinsync wrote: post #250

adev_ wrote: post #227

Earlier quoted context omitted.

European researcher here. There is an other thing that should make America worry. Research grants have been cut everywhere in the US. That cuts deep and terminated many scientific collaborations between USA and the EU Horizons projects in many STEMs research fields. That created a void.... and sciences is like nature: it hates void (and the lack of money...) My perception in the domain is that the resulting void is b…

You being an outside observer of my country, what do you think the mid-term (next ~decade) looks like if the US is somehow able to flush the toilet and do a complete 180 from a policy and administration perspective? I imagine even if people we need are welcomed back with open arms, they're not going to want to come. I sure wouldn't want to go back to a bar where the bouncer kicked the shit out of me! Just curious, it…

Post by orwin » Wed, Jan 28, 2026, 9:00 AM UTC

adev_ wrote: post #391

orwin wrote: post #349

Earlier quoted context omitted.

If you dig into my comment history, i've been pretty pro China (despite a ding i will do every time: China rural areas are decaying faster than in the west. I think the main contributor is the difference between contryside/rural pay (80-100€ when i was there) and city/industrial pay (700-800€ with no qualification at the time)). I will still add a caveat with what you've said: China make/unmake rules pretty fast, and…

> As a westerner you should always be OK, but this is a country with no rule of law. Let's be clear: I am not discussing nor defend China internal policies here. I honestly do not care and I am not pro China. I am pointing a single fact: As a EU researcher, it is easier now to go to China than to go the US for conferences and collaboration. And we do feel more welcome there. That single fact alone should terrify any…

Post by chronny903 » Wed, Jan 28, 2026, 9:20 AM UTC

ares623 wrote: post #8

141205 wrote: post #6

Earlier quoted context omitted.

There's a big difference between cutting off all foreign-born talent—and addressing the serious issue of graduate school turning into an immigration racket; the current issue with graduate degrees is a very close mirror to the issue with H1b worker visas. The abuse of both systems has harmed Americans—and to some extent the long-term health of the tech industry and the academy.

Would you be ok if the schools only allowed foreign students from certain countries?

Post by Yoric » Wed, Jan 28, 2026, 9:46 AM UTC

tsoukase wrote: post #325

Scientists of >=PhD level sacrifice their lifetime to a low-profit goal. They could very well be occupied in the industry and earn millions (granted not all of them) with their talent. Instead they demand and enjoy social respect and at the moment Europe respects them more than the USA.