Alaric DeArment wrote an article in The New Republic in early 2023, where he noted that Americans from marginalised communities were looking to leave because of a rise in gun violence and far right (read Trump’s MAGA horde) politics. He wrote this article not long after he applied for German citizenship through his mother’s side of the family1.
This article was pooh-poohed at the time by people like Bill Maher, the older, wealthy white host of a popular chat show, who stated that these people should remain and try to fix the country. However, in a later piece, DeArment noted that while he was a little flattered by the attention, he invited Maher to eat crow. This is because his prediction from the previous article is coming true, especially now the Mango Mussolini and sidekick Elon Musk are taking a wrecking ball to US democracy, and this has caused a rise people in the US having their eyes on the exit, including those with skill sets the US can ill afford to lose2.
He also notes that German newsmagazine Der Spiegel reported that the Max Planck Society—one of the world’s top amalgamation of scientific research institutions—is experiencing an increase in applications from US scientists. Its president said the society regards the US as ‘a new talent pool’ at a time when the Trump administration is cutting billions in funding from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the National Science Foundation (NSF). In addition, Ireland’s Department of Foreign Affairs has had a 50 percent increase in the number of Americans seeking Irish passports, with some people specifically citing the new administration as a reason2. Furthermore, Polaron3, an Australian company that helps people obtain European citizenship by descent, has also “seen a steep increase in Americans wishing to leave their country, with many keen to obtain an EU passport2.
These cuts to the NIH and NSF would normally present a huge opportunity for Australia to attract some highly skilled scientists from the US in fields such as medicine, epidemiology, climate science, geology, among many others4. However, as we know, both major parties in Australia have a long history of showing very little interest in the future of Australia beyond the next election, so science comes a long way behind as a consideration. Indeed, while the Labor Party is at best uninterested, the Liberal Party is usually antipathetic to science because scientists tend to show Liberal policies are bullshit or dangerous. It will be an opportunity missed.
Sources
“as we know, both major parties in Australia have a long history of showing very little interest in the future of Australia beyond the next election”. What might be a one of the possible explanations for that phenomena? Might I suggest that they’re responding to, (nay, beholden to), the goldfish who vote, that also seem to have a long history of showing very little interest in the future of Australia beyond the next election. Although, that being said, the RWEFNJs (rightwingevangelicalfuckingnotjobs) have amply demonstrated their ability & willingness to play the long game. Time for a cadetfuckinbonespurs quote? “sad”
*rightwingevangelicalfuckingnutjobbies* you know what i meant 🙂
Clive,
Yep, I did.
Clive,
Impossible to disagree with that.
Yep, when I read of the mass sackings and removal of funds for research etc my immediate reaction was – where’s Albanese or at least heads of universities. Attracting people of this calibre ought to be pretty simple (if only we could house them) but no doubt he’s cowed by the puerile bullying and retribution of Trump, Vance and sycophants.
Jon,
A perpetual, fearful disappointment.
https://www.smh.com.au/national/as-trump-sacks-scientists-let-s-hire-them-his-drain-is-our-brain-gain-20250305-p5lh0d.html
On a related matter. Fellows of the ancient Royal Society voted to do nothing about rescinding Musk’s Fellowship following criticism from UK scientists about his promotion of conspiracy theories, rejection of evidence-based decision making and rank behaviour generally. Commenters have queried how Musk actually came to receive a Fellowship in the first place given he has no quals, has never produced any research, and is essentially nothing more than an entrepreneur who takes advantage of the expertise of others. Fair point. He has managed to extract nearly $18B of taxpayer money to shore up his Tesla and SpaceX activities, ironically largely thanks to Biden. Odd that space is getting Trump’s thumbs up while medicare/medicaid are being targeted for big cuts.
Jon,
More fearful, gutless twats.