Thanks to Senior scientist  B.  Bigler,  S. Gutreuter and T. Kwak
for their feed-back.  In this communication, I'd like to  comment
Brian's and Steve's posters.   Furthermore, this communication is
being cc:ed to Alan Hale <[log in to unmask]>  to  find  out  whether
efforts could be unified to set up the (below) referred 'academic
watch'.

] From: Brian Bigler <[log in to unmask]>

]You imply that the problem  is  primarily in Europe when you cite
]the large sums of money expended.   Is  this  implied  geographic
]distribution correct?

I've  received  the  referred letters (e-mails) from all over the
world  (from  developed   and  developing  countries).   However,
Western Europe is, definitely, within the focus.  In my  view,  a
transnational junior scientist organization, backed up by a board
of senior scientists, is needed.  Such an organization could be a
simple  e-conference  and  serve  as  a  real-time, international
academic 'watch': Once un/declared  conflicts arise, a phone call
or an e-mail from a Senior scientist  may  serve  to  solve  many
'problems', in a matter of minutes.

]Is there  a  skewed  geographic  or  education level distribution
]among the people you've cited?

It  seems  to be an international problem affecting postgraduates
(mainly phd students as well as post phd research fellows).

] Steve Gutreuter <[log in to unmask]> wrote:

]Last, I do ponder and question  the ethics of academia.  I wonder
]how  so  may  reconcile  their  own  self-interest  of   training
]additional  graduate  students  with  the grim reality of the job
]market in some areas.   I  am  not  passing judgement (I would be
]guilty  of  any  such  judgement),  but  just  wondering  whether
]"juniors" also ponder and _question_ these issues.

The ethics within academia seem to be a source (the  main  source
?)  of  interest  conflicts  and  the  question  you rise is very
important, I believe.   I'm  sure  junior scientists question the
referred issues.  However, juniors may not  have  the  sufficient
resources  to  change  institutional mechanisms.  In my view, the
main role to  achieve  such  changes  is  within  the reach of an
international board of senior scientists.

Cheers,

    Aldo-Pier Solari