2026-09-05
Advanced Research and Invention Agency (ARIA) was launched (under cover of Covid?) in 2023 and aims to spend lots of government money (ie: our money):
"ARIA’s distinctive features are described as Programme Director autonomy, tolerance for failure, ability to fund non-traditional applicants, and an emphasis on turning breakthroughs into real-world impact via so-called 'Activation Partners' "
Just like the Covid PPE procurement system then?
Is there any mechanism at all through which they might be held to account for their stewardship of public funds?
"The main focus in on weather modification projects ... "
Oh dear, not that old chestnut again. Can they not think of anything new to waste our money on? They have been modifying the weather for years (see picture) without telling us even if we could see them at it for ourselves.
For all these £billions they could build reservoirs, power stations, fill potholes, or (God forbid!) just reduce the tax take on local businesses and release all the people who would jump at the chance to run a productive business but who can no longer make such a thing pay its way.
And they wouldn't need to be tolerant of failure. Mind you, the biggest culprit for tolerance of failure is the State itself, so it doesn't surprise that "tolerance of failure" is now officially recognised as a desirable trait.
Unless shared by HMRC with taxpayers of course.
So why tell us now?
So come on all you "non-traditional applicants", get in your applications for your pet projects pronto - just don't suggest anything useful because it won't get past the initial assessment stage. The more wasteful, the less likely to succeed, and the least likely to be held to account, the better!
And more seriously, what else are they up to that they don't want our attention on?
