Summary
Trump plans to eliminate NIST’s Atomic Spectroscopy Group, which maintains crucial atomic measurement data used globally in fields like nuclear fusion and astronomy.
The Atomic Spectra Database, relied on by scientists and engineers, may be at risk, sparking backlash from researchers and lawmakers.
Critics warn that cutting the group will harm scientific progress and U.S. leadership in technology.
Representative Zoe Lofgren condemned the move as uninformed and potentially harmful to national security. A petition to save the group has gathered over 1,700 signatures.
Gotta be honest: anyone surprised by this stuff has just straight up not been paying attention. I have zero patience for this shit. The plan has been on the open internet for over half a fucking decade. They said they were gonna follow it. They’re following it. You’re not allowed to be surprised.
Thats fair, doesn’t make it any less bonkers.
Not everyone can pay attention about everything. I get the sentiment but there are certain “fundamentals” that I think even republicans/magas are surprised to see going away. Try to be cool with your fellow posters who might not have the time, resources or experience to know what you do. We aren’t all coming from the same place and position here.