re: #259 Aceofwhat?

so this guy at NU has the next google on his hands, and without stimulus money, he’d be wholly unable to develop it. is that what you’re saying?

Nope.

you’re absolutely positive that this guy’s work is going to turn into “huge benefits”? i didn’t know that you were such a programming visionary.

No. But you have inadvertently hit on the exact reason why private industry doesn’t fund basic science research, and why it needs government funding. This research project may go nowhere. So may five other ones. Industry invests very little in basic science because it’s so unpredictable— and when you do make a breakthrough, it’s of benefit to the entire industry, not just you.

Which is why basic science needs public funding.

(that comment courtesy of the “shitload of ignorance” quip you provided above. reap what ye sow.)

I’m happy to reap you accidentally stating the exact reason why basic science needs public funding, thanks.