Words of the privileged
In this democracy, free speech is only granted to the privileged few, those who govern the country in one way or another. We, the people are convinced of our fortune as citizens of a country as well-run as a business.
And now we see the squabbles between two privileged ones, of how a research institute is to be run. The sympathetic doctor stands for true science; the petty businessman insists on a money-making machine. The pawns watch on, dumbfounded.
Simply an embarrassing situation. My opinion? I am biased and partial. He who has once done good for the economy has proven time and time again his pettiness. Dictatorship is on page one of his dictionary, narrow-minded and totalitarian as he is. Where other research institutes have allowed only their funds to be influenced by the market, he now insists on running a research project like a business. And as a scientist not bound by any corrupt system, I look on it with contempt.
And this tower of a research institute under construction has got only a weak foundation. It has yet to compete with others in the region and the world. It faces heavy competition in gathering the best talent, and with its existing bureaucratic system, the atmosphere is at best stifling. It will only be a matter of time before this tower collapses, at the mercy of an unforgiving environment. And when that time comes, there will be much to lose, more than just the imports.
