> It's hard for the typical "hard-core capitalist / free-market guy" to understand, but I consistently argue that regardless of where the money flows as long as

> It's hard for the typical "hard-core capitalist / free-market guy" to understand, but I consistently argue that regardless of where the money flows as long as passionate people are able to sustain a comfortable living studying what they love, there will always be amazing breakthroughs in all fields, regardless of "market forces". You have ample evidence of what is accomplished without market forces: The Internet, Web, email, Linux, Firefox, Newton, Einstein, almost all science, every political and social idea and movement, everything done by almost any soldier (who give their lives without the pull of market forces), parent, friend, mentor, etc. (EDIT: I forgot NASA and most other explorers!) The idea that people only act due to market forces and selfishness is obviously absurd, a simplistic ideology used by some to rationalize their own greed.