O cúmulo do cinismo__"Dinheiro público para universidades é um luxo injustificável"

Um recente artigo na última edição da conhecida revista The Economist, evidencia inusitada admiração pelo facto das universidades não estarem a provocar um crescimento incessante em termos de produtividade https://www.economist.com/finance-and-economics/2024/02/05/universities-are-failing-to-boost-economic-growth

Essa premissa já evidenciava ignorância, se tivesse sido produzida há uma dezena de anos. Desde logo mostra que o autor do artigo, não tem memória ou nem sequer "fez o trabalho de casa", pois senão saberia que em 2022 a sua revista publicou um artigo, onde se podia ler que nem sequer as universidades mais ricas deste Planeta tinham dinheiro suficiente para contruírem supercomputadores, a frase chave nesse artigo, era que as universidades já não eram capazes, nessa área, de acompanhar o ritmo tecnológico das empresas  https://pachecotorgal.com/2022/06/15/academia-at-the-gates-of-technological-irrelevance/

Mas o artigo é particularmente ignorante, em face do novo mundo que se abriu com a explosão (leia-se dávida) da omnipresente IA generativa, (e qualquer dia também omnisciente e omnipotente), vide post sobre a mudança da missão universitária em face dos desafios trazidos pela mesma https://19-pacheco-torgal-19.blogspot.com/2024/01/the-economistai-generated-content-is.html

Mas se as universidades já não conseguem acompanhar o ritmo tecnológico das empresas, o que é que elas ainda estão à espera para se dedicarem a fazer aquilo que as empresas não podem, não conseguem, ou simplesmente não querem fazer (porque não dá lucro)?, pergunta essa que em 2022 deu título a este post aqui https://pachecotorgal.com/2022/06/14/when-will-academia-stop-focusing-on-what-the-industry-already-does-and-start-focusing-on-what-the-industry-does-not-want-or-cannot-do/

O artigo da revista The Economist, termina com uma frase particularmente ignorante: " In a world of weak economic growth, lavish public support for universities may come to seem an unjustifiable luxury". Rotular a falta de crescimento económico como uma questão primordial (e culpar as universidades por isso) é uma posição profundamente cínica e hipócrita. O problema deste Planeta reside antes na distribuição manifestamente insuficiente dos abundantes benefícios gerados por esse (nada baixo) crescimento económico. https://pacheco-torgal.blogspot.com/2019/12/can-190-million-usd-threshold-be.html

A parte realmente trágica (e irónica) é que foi precisamente a obsessão com um crescimento económico ilimitado (o tal que alegadamente deveria ser potenciado pelas universidades), que nos transportou até ao limiar de um apocalipse climático, o mesmo apocalipse climático a que infelizmente a imprensa Portuguesa só deu a devida importância em Novembro de 2021 https://pacheco-torgal.blogspot.com/2021/11/barbara-reis-finalmente.html não tendo sido certamente por acaso que o professor em questão, mencionado nessa noticia, foi mencionado logo no primeiro post do meu primeiro blogue em 18-09-2019  https://pacheco-torgal.blogspot.com/2019/09/facing-disaster-great-challenges.html 

Pertinente e fundamental neste contexto, é o artigo, que é mais realista do que fatalista, de dois professores catedráticos (de uma universidade da Finlândia e de outra no Reino Unido) que cometei no meu blogue no inicio de 2022, que dá a "receita" para que possamos tentar sair do apocalipse, onde o tal (famigerado) crescimento económico ilimitado nos meteu: 

"...The triple conjuncture of climate change and ecological breakdown, global pandemic, and neoliberal economic globalization speak to a Great Implosion, and while the pandemic will eventually end, responses to it have created a precedent. Dramatic action is now urgently needed by all—from governments, financial entities, corporations, communities, households, and individuals...without it our nightmares may become realities"

The Economist__"public support for universities...seem an unjustifiable luxury"

A recent article in the last edition of The Economist expresses admiration for the idea that universities are not contributing to incessant growth in productivity. https://www.economist.com/finance-and-economics/2024/02/05/universities-are-failing-to-boost-economic-growth 

However, This premise would already demonstrate ignorance if it had been produced a dozen years ago.  Immediately evident is the author's lack of recollection or thorough research, as a simple review would reveal that in 2022, The Economist published an article highlighting that even the most affluent universities on Earth lacked the necessary funds to develop supercomputers, leaving them trailing behind in the rapid advancements made by technology-driven companies. The sentiment expressed was that academic institutions were struggling to keep up with the pace of innovation-"Academic institutions can no longer keep up” https://pachecotorgal.com/2022/06/15/academia-at-the-gates-of-technological-irrelevance/

However, the article exhibits a notable ignorance in light of the emerging landscape shaped by the proliferation of omnipresent generative AI, poised to redefine our existence. With the advent of these technologies—potentially becoming omniscient and omnipotent in the near future, as explored in a related post—it underscores the imperative for universities to reassess their mission https://19-pacheco-torgal-19.blogspot.com/2024/01/the-economistai-generated-content-is.html

Given the evident struggle of universities to keep up with the technological pace set by companies, a pertinent question arises: When will the academic sector transition from emulating industry practices to concentrating on realms the industry either cannot, is unwilling to, or deems unprofitable? This question, posed in 2022, served as the title of a post, urging a reconsideration of the role and mission of universities in a rapidly evolving technological landscape. https://pachecotorgal.com/2022/06/14/when-will-academia-stop-focusing-on-what-the-industry-already-does-and-start-focusing-on-what-the-industry-does-not-want-or-cannot-do/

The closing statement of The Economist magazine article is marked by a particularly ignorant assertion: "In a world of weak economic growth...public support for universities may come to seem an unjustifiable luxury." . Simply put, characterizing the dearth of economic growth as a significant problem and placing the blame squarely on universities is a stance that only those with a cynical or hypocritical mindset would embrace. The real concern, however, is the insufficient distribution of the plentiful benefits generated by economic growth. https://pacheco-torgal.blogspot.com/2019/12/can-190-million-usd-threshold-be.html

What makes this tragic is the irony that an unwavering pursuit of unlimited economic growth, purportedly championed by universities, has brought humanity to the precipice of a climate apocalypse. Significant and pivotal in this context is an article authored by two professors—one from a university in Finland and another from the United Kingdom—that I shared on my blog at the outset of 2022. This article outlines a "recipe", to navigate our way out of the consequences of unchecked economic growth that led us into an impending apocalypse. "...The triple conjuncture of climate change and ecological breakdown, global pandemic, and neoliberal economic globalization speak to a Great Implosion, and while the pandemic will eventually end, responses to it have created a precedent. Dramatic action is now urgently needed by all—from governments, financial entities, corporations, communities, households, and individuals...without it our nightmares may become realities"

Compulsory psychological assessments for candidates applying for positions as university professors and researchers

Continuing the thread from the two emails referenced below, including one sent to Ulrich Betz on January 14 and another distributed to several thousand colleagues by January 21, and particularly focusing on the email dated February 15, 2018, reproduced in the end of the post titled "Ethical reflections on a Canadian scandal: When will Academia take a stand against entrenched "traditions" that bind society to a tribalistic past ?  https://pacheco-torgal.blogspot.com/2020/12/when-will-academia-stop-acting-so.html  I am convinced that a pivotal move toward the envisioned future requires the implementation of mandatory psychological assessments for candidates applying for positions as university professors and researchers. This essential measure is integral to guaranteeing that prospective individuals do not possess inclinations towards extreme sports fanaticism or, as I emphasized almost a month before Russia invaded Ukraine, nor do they exhibit tendencies toward warmongering—arguably the most severe academic offense, in my opinion. https://19-pacheco-torgal-19.blogspot.com/2022/01/a-mais-grave-infraccao-academica-que.html

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De: F. Pacheco Torgal 
Enviado: 21 de janeiro de 2024 06:09
Assunto: In the society of tomorrow, researchers will stand atop the food chain

 

Contrary to the recent, misguided assessment offered by the Vice President of Merck (please refer to the provided emails below), my genuine motivation does not revolve around seeking invitations. Instead, it is firmly rooted in the aspiration to contribute to the emergence of a groundbreaking "world" - a society characterized as - a civilization of Type One https://pacheco-torgal.blogspot.com/2019/10/the-role-of-academia-towards-type-1.html 

Within the contours of this envisioned civilization, researchers would metaphorically occupy the zenith of the societal hierarchy, while football players would inevitably find themselves situated at its foundational tier. To elaborate further, those adept at manipulating a ball with their feet and heads would, metaphorically speaking, be relegated to a tier analogous to "monkeys," given the inherent triviality of their activities. This comparison is drawn particularly when contrasted with the pursuits of scientists. The actions of these athletes, characterized as mere antics, hold significantly diminished cultural value in comparison to the contributions of individuals engaged in vital endeavors, such as waste removal, as highlighted in an article published in The Economist last November. https://19-pacheco-torgal-19.blogspot.com/2023/12/disheartening-feelings-and-lavish.html

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De: F. Pacheco Torgal 
Enviado: 14 de janeiro de 2024 20:35
Para: Ulrich Betz 
Assunto: RE: Ulrich A.K. Betz__Unveiling tomorrow's predictions and illuminating the marvels of Science for a better World

 

Thank you for your kind reply. 

The prospect you highlighted hadn't previously entered my thoughts, but my genuine intentions are distinct, clear, and straightforward. Through your articulation, I perceive the unfolding of a new and awe-inspiring world. My objective is to play an active role in transforming that vision into reality. I aspire to disseminate this vision widely, connecting with a global audience through my blogs. It's noteworthy that my blogs have already reached scientists in over a hundred countries, with the top 10 frequent visitors hailing from the United States, Netherlands, Finland, France, Australia, the United Kingdom, Germany, Spain, Austria, and Canada.

Despite our diverse backgrounds and undoubtedly differing perspectives on various subjects, we do share a common goal—to underscore to society that scientists deserve a paramount position. As someone eloquently expressed in 1980, their mission revolves around unlocking the mysteries of the mind of God. https://pacheco-torgal.blogspot.com/2023/12/unveiling-true-currency-of-life.html