Learn from Ireland's knowledge economy

摘要

You highlight China's scientific investment drive (Nature 476, 5; 2011). This is a reminder that nations with little experience of modern large-scale investment in science may be jumping into ill-planned knowledge-economy ventures that could have serious long-term consequences. Take Ireland, for example. An explosion in scientific investment quickly attracted many scientists to the country and saw it climb up the international scientific rankings. Now fundamental flaws in the Irish system are showing up as the funding fades.