Science, the Endless Frontier
by Vannevar Bush
Mentioned once across 1 show · first heard Dec 2025 on Acquired.
The general take
Michael Lewis finds 'Science, the Endless Frontier' short and relevant to our current moment, particularly for how it shaped American governance of science through Vannevar Bush's foundational work—though he doesn't quite call it a great book. He sees it as meaningful despite being brief, speaking directly to contemporary questions about how we organize ourselves around scientific innovation.
About
The classic case for why government must support science―with a new essay by physicist and former congressman Rush Holt on what democracy needs from science today Science, the Endless Frontier is recognized as the landmark argument for the essential role of science in society and government’s responsibility to support scientific endeavors. First issued when Vannevar Bush was the director of the US Office of Scientific Research and Development during the Second World War, this classic remains vital in making the case that scientific progress is necessary to a nation’s health, security, and prosperity. Bush’s vision set the course for US science policy for more than half a century, building the world’s most productive scientific enterprise.
Who said what
Michael Lewis👍 Recommends
…michael lewis carveout recommendation about science policy and government
“At the end of the thing I just finished, it's not like it's a great book, but I think it's so short, and it's something that is speaking to our moment in our—it's basically how we govern ourselves. It's—I always mispronounce his name. It's Vannevar Bush. Who essentially created the American Science Project.”
Acquired — 10 Years of Acquired (with Michael Lewis)at 1:29:46
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