Prof. Venkatasubramanian goes to Washington

I'm at the CRA-organized Leadership in Science Policy Institute, otherwise known as LISPI. After a day of intense talks, I feel like day three of a conference: which is to say, totally drained and overwhelmed by the amount of information coming my way. Who knew that science sausage was so hard to make !

Here are some things I've learnt so far:

• Physics is our feared and admired enemy STEM partner. 
• I'd be glad to have half as much energy as Ed Lazowska when I get to his level. 
• The CRA continues to be truly awesome
• I feel like I'm in an episode of the West Wing sometimes. 
• The budget process seems far more structured and less crisis-ridden than the media makes it out to be. 

And for all other details of the meeting, I will refer you to the Chatham House Rule.