>> The NSF has been fundamental in helping develop technology used in MRIs, cellphones, and it even helped get Duolingo get off the ground.

So besides the earth shattering societal changes made by Duolingo, nothing recent?

Must be just bad journalism.

I'm sure they contribute to more awesome things.

Remember this, when you hear: "Some mysterious and shadowy cabal of ideologues in higher-education are using unspecified means to brainwash a generation scientists into not liking the Republican party!"

No, the party has been earning that bad reputation. To use The Emperor's New Math, it's fallen by "600%" or more.

P.S.: Even if you honestly want the US federal government to just not-have science funding or fund different kinds of work... this is the stupid/wasteful/corrupt way to do it.