How to keep a scientist’s mind

In his article “Who owns a scientist’s mind?” (Physics Today, July 2018, page 42), Douglas O’Reagan lays out all the concerns and fears of the competitive business leaders and scientists regarding the “ownership”—and loss thereof—of knowledge that resides in and travels with human beings. One might think of knowledge management as just another engineering problem, the solution to which is creating an environment for the knowledge bearers that provides meaningfulness to them. That is to say, a truly happy person may want to remain in the place that gives one’s life meaning rather than run off for greener pastures. Greed at the top seems the bigger problem to solve.