Geeks protest against 'irritant' David Cameron's spending cuts. London played host to the unusual spectacle of hundreds of angry scientists protesting on Saturday. Campaign group Science is Vital organised the demonstration as part of its efforts to persuade chancellor George Osborne not to slash funding for scientific research as part of his spending cuts. The protesters, many wearing lab coats and safety goggles, gathered outside the Treasury and chanted ‘Hey Osborne, leave our geeks alone’ to the tune of Pink Floyd classic The Wall. They also used some imagination when designing their placards.
‘Science: More useful than a duck island’, read one, while another said bluntly ‘Banks don’t cure disease’. One even had David Cameron ‘s face on a chemical warning symbol, along with the slogan ‘Danger. The comprehensive spending review is expected to include major cuts to the science budget, but Dr Jenny Rohn, of the University of London, warned that any reduction could prove to be a false economy. ‘To cut science now would really be disastrous,’ he added. Scientists hold rally over spending cuts in London. Science cuts: thousands set to protest outside Treasury | Science. Patrick Moore: astronomer is among several famous names who are angry about cuts to science funding. Photograph: Fiona Hanson/PA Thousands of people are expected to gather outside the Treasury in London today to protest against proposed cuts to science funding.
Protesters will argue that science and engineering should not be a "soft touch" for cuts, but a key part of the UK's plans to rebalance the economy and maintain intellectual excellence. The demonstration is organised by the Science is Vital (SIV) campaign, whose supporters include broadcasters Patrick Moore and Tanya Byron, Bad science columnist Ben Goldacre, Cern physicist Brian Cox, several MPs and the president of the Royal Society, Martin Rees.
Cutting support for science, especially when other countries including the US, Germany, India and China are raising their funding, would force Britain out of the premier league in many fields of research, leading scientists have argued. Social Media Activism: Scientists Take to the Streets | socialmedia.net - Navigating New Horizons. @bengoldacre At #scienceisvital.
Science is vital pod delusion.