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> "I'm arguing that civilian research IS military research." Which is prima facie untrue. While there are benefits to basic research over the long term, it to

• godelski 6y ago
  > Which is prima facie untrue. Only if you have little knowledge of military. > it took roughly 60 years from the discovery of the laser to the beginnings of deployable laser weaponry today. But it took less than a year for it to be used by the CIA and FBI for spying (an interferometer was one of the first applications) and not much longer for it to be used for range finding and targeting for the military and not much longer than that to be used to determine mass of objects. The directed energy weapon you are referring to isn't the only application that the military, CIA, FBI, and other agencies have for lasers. There are hundreds more than what I mentioned and a dozen of which were in practical use within the first 5 years of its discovery. Just because you aren't aware of the uses of such technology doesn't mean that they aren't used and doesn't mean they aren't __HIGHLY__ valuable assets. We could go on and include things like nightvision, underwater communications (other types of communications as well), guidance, or defensive applications but I think it is pretty clear that the laser is one of the _best_ examples of technology being used (and quickly adopted) by military/government, not worst.