Calculated Calculus Mathematician, Physician and Lunatic JE-EP

Scientific research and development into DNA melanin sponsored by JE.  “Donated millions”.  CERN scientists research in PLASMA sponsored by JE.  Child trafficking and pedophilia sponsored by JE

In August 2017, I received an email from publicist Masha Drokova asking whether I wanted to interview her client, Jeffrey Epstein.  “Epstein began the 80-minute interview by asking me to agree, if we wrote a story based on the interview, not to use any quotes without first getting his permission. “I have lots of detractors,” he said, “so certain things phrased the wrong way could make trouble for you and I.” I agreed to his terms.

The overarching goal of his philanthropy, he said, was to compensate for “the Trump administration cutting back on pure research.” It seemed like a grandiose claim. Although he repeatedly dodged my requests for specific amounts, his scientific donations over the past 20 years are unlikely to have exceeded a few tens of millions of dollars. That sum pales next to the U.S. government’s annual research budget of $150 billion, and it’s small even compared with the nine- and 10-figure gifts to science from many super-wealthy individuals.

I asked who he chooses to fund. “I’m looking for smart people who might have a great idea,” he answered. “I’m making a bet that certain people, not a lot of them, can do great things if they simply can be freed up to think, and freed up from writing grants and having to worry about the necessities of life. Remember, I’m not building a laboratory, so [my money] goes to support them in a nicer way than being on a postdoc salary.”

I asked him how that approach differs from the genius awards from the John D, Catherine T Mac Arthur Foundation, which gives out 5 year grants at $6000,000 and asks nothing in return.

15 mins.