10 More Ways the Government Wastes Your Money
7. $1.97 million spent to create a “Fossil Facebook”
A team of University of Florida (UF) researchers this year won a $1.97 million grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) to create a new communication network for fossil enthusiasts and professionals.Fossil clubs exist nationwide but are stuck in the Stone Age in how they interact with one another, according to the grantees. They typically function independently and do not communicate with each other or professionals as most science-hobbyist groups do.
The project’s goal is to create a web-based education community that connects people with a shared interested in paleontology where users will be able to input data and request information from each other.
Ironically, the grantees have been using Facebook to get the word out about their new project.
