Holden is a smart guy, but he’s also operating under a severe set of political constraints, since his organization depends so strongly on its ability to raise funds. So we shouldn’t make too much of the fact that he thinks academia is pretty good—obviously he’s going to say that.
since his organization depends so strongly on its ability to raise funds
This doesn’t quite seem like an accurate description of the situation, given that his org is trying to give away billions of dollars. Don’t disagree that it’s in his interest to choose his words carefully though.
Holden is a smart guy, but he’s also operating under a severe set of political constraints, since his organization depends so strongly on its ability to raise funds. So we shouldn’t make too much of the fact that he thinks academia is pretty good—obviously he’s going to say that.
This doesn’t quite seem like an accurate description of the situation, given that his org is trying to give away billions of dollars. Don’t disagree that it’s in his interest to choose his words carefully though.
Yeah, when I listened to it, it struck me that he was describing things in a pretty glass-half-full sort of way.
In general I’m impressed that he often manages to be both blunt and diplomatic.