Some food for thought

I have been touched by the decency of colleagues who were not well off financially and yet asked to give their share of travel support to younger researchers. On the other hand, I have been appalled by the avarice and egotism of some very illustrious and well-to-do scientists.

The first time I had to allocate funds for a meeting, I called up the invited speakers as soon as I had received the award. Joyfully, I asked the first fellow if several hundred dollars would be helpful for his travel arrangements. The answer was prompt: ‘No, not really.’ Dazzled, I asked if that meant he would not come. In a diplomatic reflex, he then assured me that he was very happy to accept the money.

Some scientists seem to believe that the rules of a bazaar also apply to requests for travel support. They ask for outrageous amounts hoping that this will garner them the lower amount they are actually shooting for. Some of my friends have become so allergic to this attitude that they look with apprehension at any scientist from certain nations.

Similarly unpleasant is the expectation of some retired scientists to receive lavish travel support for meetings they have attended for decades. Of course, you want them to come, but how can you justify paying for suites for them if you don't have enough funds to pay for beds for outstanding younger colleagues? What granting agency would approve an application requesting preferential funding for retired honorees?