• 1969
• Concept Map
• Exhibit map

This map depicts the equilibrium of science and society. The graph on the left hand side shows the number of scientists and the growth in population in the U.S. for nearly 30 years: 1940-1969. Martino calculated that the proportion of scientists in the population had increased from less than 0.5 percent to about 1%. Today, the U.S. has about 300 million people including about 5 million, i.e., 1.7%, scientists. On the right, the growth in the U.S. gross national product (GNP) since 1946 and the dollar resources expended in research and development (R&D) for 1953-1968 are shown. The proportion of the U.S. GNP devoted to R&D doubled, from slightly less than 1.5% to 3% over that time period. In 2008, the U.S. GNP is $13 trillion and about $0.3 trillion, i.e., 2.3%, are spent on R&D. While the percentage of scientists in the total population increases steadily, R&D investment as a fraction of GNP appears to be constant and is declining in purchasing power. The primary purpose of this map was to indicate that science is transitioning to equilibrium and science policy makers must start thinking about how to cushion the shocks which will accompany such a transition