Despite what pundits who themselves are neither scientists nor mathematicians might say, I've never seen any rush by Americans towards the hard sciences. These fields have typically been represented disproportionately by foreigners. You don't get a visa to come work in the U.S., and thus triple your lifetime earnings potential, by majoring in sociology. For some people with less opportunities, personal fulfillment is not as important as a steady income.
That's been true for a long time, with a minor exception during the Space Race of the 50s and 60s.
I think the main reason is that, in the English-speaking world, anyone with a "head" for science would make far more money, and gain immensely more authority and influence, by becoming a lawyer than a research scientist (like
Peter Thiel). Technicians are just lackeys.
