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This is terrible and self-destructive. I have strong feelings about this that are shaped by my career, which has been both in the US and outside the US. A quick thread. 1/ https://twitter.com/ilyaraz2/status/1262434883915243520">https://twitter.com/ilyaraz2/...
First of all, let me reaffirm the basic truth that the US is a country of immigrants and immigration has been the wellspring of American strength. Anti-immigration politics are simply anti-American and, I& #39;ll repeat, completely self-destructive. 2/
But here& #39;s the main point I wanted to make: Having done science both inside and outside the US, and having visited scientific institutions around the world, it& #39;s clear to me that US leadership in science has nothing to do with it& #39;s scientific facilities and infrastructure. 3/
The US doesn& #39;t have the best equipped labs or unique instrumentation. In fact, my experience is that labs at some of the most famous US universities are *below average* or at best *just average* in terms of the facilities and hardware. 4/
So, why do people come to the US to do science (and why do Americans stay in the US)? The answer is that it& #39;s the people. America is lucky to have many institutions that have historically attracted the best and brightest from around the world. And this self-perpetuates. 5/
It& #39;s a siphon. These elite centers of excellence have great people which allows them to draw excellent people from around the world, which keeps them attractive, etc. But it is very fragile. Once you stop the flow of a siphon, that& #39;s it. It doesn& #39;t work anymore. 6/
My perspective holds for universities and science, but I& #39;m sure it& #39;s true for other institutions and other areas. The best places have the best people. And a policy which makes it harder to bring in the best and brightest is truly crazy. And the damage could well be permanent. 7/
But it gets worse. Once US schools start falling down the rankings, not only will the US have trouble attracting scientists from outside, the US will have trouble keeping great American scientists from leaving. 8/
It& #39;s such an ill-founded idea. Even if all you care about is American dominance on the world stage, ending the OPT program will only hurt your goal and not help it.
I truly hope this terrible executive order is not enacted. 9/9
I truly hope this terrible executive order is not enacted. 9/9
