Jeff Alexander
@techiewonk.bsky.social
Director, Innovation Policy @rti.bsky.social (the Research Triangle Institute). Unapologetic wonk at the intersection of #sciencepolicy, #innovation, and strategy. Ask me about R&D evaluation, innovation metrics, horizon scanning, & cocktails.
Umm…the timescale of these investments are NOT similar. GenAI infrastructure investment (based on announcements) is supposedly happening over a much shorter period
October 21, 2025 at 11:16 AM
Umm…the timescale of these investments are NOT similar. GenAI infrastructure investment (based on announcements) is supposedly happening over a much shorter period
Happened when DHS was created after 9/11
October 18, 2025 at 7:33 PM
Happened when DHS was created after 9/11
I would totally bet that they had grok rewrite the code.
October 12, 2025 at 2:50 AM
I would totally bet that they had grok rewrite the code.
“The software, called AutoRIF, which stands for Automated Reduction in Force, was first developed by the Department of Defense more than two decades ago. Since then, it’s been updated several times and used by a variety of agencies to expedite reductions in workforce.”
October 12, 2025 at 2:45 AM
“The software, called AutoRIF, which stands for Automated Reduction in Force, was first developed by the Department of Defense more than two decades ago. Since then, it’s been updated several times and used by a variety of agencies to expedite reductions in workforce.”
Um, that is actually pretty close to what happened: www.wired.com/story/doge-a...
DOGE Is Working on Software That Automates the Firing of Government Workers
Operatives working for Elon Musk’s DOGE appear to be editing the code of AutoRIF—software designed by the Defense Department that could assist in mass firings of federal workers, sources tell WIRED.
www.wired.com
October 12, 2025 at 2:44 AM
Um, that is actually pretty close to what happened: www.wired.com/story/doge-a...
The alternative is that millions of contractors (including call center agents, data entry workers) would be furloughed or fired upon shutdown. Unlike feds, furloughed contractors do NOT receive back pay when the gov’t re-opens. And the contract workforce is much bigger than federal workforce.
October 1, 2025 at 5:53 PM
The alternative is that millions of contractors (including call center agents, data entry workers) would be furloughed or fired upon shutdown. Unlike feds, furloughed contractors do NOT receive back pay when the gov’t re-opens. And the contract workforce is much bigger than federal workforce.
While this project is a travesty, this is normal practice. As a federal contractor, I can keep working for my federal client until we need direct guidance. This rule enables me to keep my work going (in support of the agency) through a shutdown.
October 1, 2025 at 5:50 PM
While this project is a travesty, this is normal practice. As a federal contractor, I can keep working for my federal client until we need direct guidance. This rule enables me to keep my work going (in support of the agency) through a shutdown.
True, it apparently ended when the US surrendered.
September 30, 2025 at 4:16 PM
True, it apparently ended when the US surrendered.
New contest idea—“Americanize” the titles of movies referencing or set in other countries! “All Quiet on the Atlantic Front.” “30 Seconds Over Little Tokyo.” (Someone please do better…)
September 29, 2025 at 5:44 PM
New contest idea—“Americanize” the titles of movies referencing or set in other countries! “All Quiet on the Atlantic Front.” “30 Seconds Over Little Tokyo.” (Someone please do better…)
What does “follow the facts” mean here—aren’t you supposed to have all the facts needed to prove guilt BEFORE you indict someone?
September 26, 2025 at 12:25 AM
What does “follow the facts” mean here—aren’t you supposed to have all the facts needed to prove guilt BEFORE you indict someone?
And for those who are curious, “Gilders” followed George Gilder, a futurist who promised all kinds of bounties from new communications technologies but is mainly known for pumping telecom tech firms where he owned stock to his followers and cashing out: www.wired.com/2002/07/gild...
The Madness of King George
George Gilder listened to the technology, and became guru of the telecosm. The markets listened to his newsletter, and followed him into the Global Crossing abyss.
www.wired.com
September 25, 2025 at 12:01 AM
And for those who are curious, “Gilders” followed George Gilder, a futurist who promised all kinds of bounties from new communications technologies but is mainly known for pumping telecom tech firms where he owned stock to his followers and cashing out: www.wired.com/2002/07/gild...
This course, organized by the DC Chapter of the Technology Transfer Society, explains how technologies invented in labs or at start-ups can be brought to market through partnerships and patent licensing. Great for scientists considering an alternate career! $700 (or $475 for county residents)
September 23, 2025 at 10:35 PM
This course, organized by the DC Chapter of the Technology Transfer Society, explains how technologies invented in labs or at start-ups can be brought to market through partnerships and patent licensing. Great for scientists considering an alternate career! $700 (or $475 for county residents)
Based on an article for @issuesinst.bsky.social on new ways to calculate biomedical research impact issues.org/nih-intramur.... Cc: @jeremymberg.bsky.social @stuartbuck.bsky.social @shalinjyotishi.bsky.social @standupforscience.bsky.social @davidimiller.bsky.social @maxkozlov.bsky.social
The Real Returns on NIH’s Intramural Research
The NIH intramural research program generates benefits far beyond the property lines of its facilities and laboratories.
issues.org
September 23, 2025 at 2:31 PM
Based on an article for @issuesinst.bsky.social on new ways to calculate biomedical research impact issues.org/nih-intramur.... Cc: @jeremymberg.bsky.social @stuartbuck.bsky.social @shalinjyotishi.bsky.social @standupforscience.bsky.social @davidimiller.bsky.social @maxkozlov.bsky.social
MOST of ANY scientific progress is incremental. That’s a feature, not a bug—careful experimental study that has to be reviewed. As a mentor of mine said, the phrase “high risk, high reward research” usually means “please only fund successful research with known results.”
September 22, 2025 at 7:14 PM
MOST of ANY scientific progress is incremental. That’s a feature, not a bug—careful experimental study that has to be reviewed. As a mentor of mine said, the phrase “high risk, high reward research” usually means “please only fund successful research with known results.”
What a waste especially since the move to the current NSF HQ was controversial and the NSF’s union sued to block it: www.flra.gov/fsip/2014fs_-6
National Science Foundation, Arlington, Virginia and Local 3403, American Federation of Government Employees, AFL-CIO *CASE NOs. 14 FSIP 100 & 104*
ARBITRATOR’S OPINION AND DECISION
www.flra.gov
September 2, 2025 at 11:14 PM
What a waste especially since the move to the current NSF HQ was controversial and the NSF’s union sued to block it: www.flra.gov/fsip/2014fs_-6
For those who don’t know, for DECADES Ukraine was the main location in the USSR for missile development and production. These folks know their stuff. They built the missile that took out Russia’s flagship battle cruiser early in the war.
August 18, 2025 at 11:53 PM
For those who don’t know, for DECADES Ukraine was the main location in the USSR for missile development and production. These folks know their stuff. They built the missile that took out Russia’s flagship battle cruiser early in the war.
Plus Capitol Police, US Mint Police, Postal Inspection Service, Dept of Energy Police (the Federal Protective Force), the DoD Police Force…
August 11, 2025 at 7:20 PM
Plus Capitol Police, US Mint Police, Postal Inspection Service, Dept of Energy Police (the Federal Protective Force), the DoD Police Force…
NSF gives program directors much more discretion to pick out lower-scored proposals. With the bias inherent in peer review, random selection among the top cohort of proposals is probably more fair than strict adherence to ranked scores.
July 22, 2025 at 5:24 PM
NSF gives program directors much more discretion to pick out lower-scored proposals. With the bias inherent in peer review, random selection among the top cohort of proposals is probably more fair than strict adherence to ranked scores.