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One argument I like is that if you're only interested in practical value of science, then consider that the data processing requirements for CERN operating the
by philipov 6y ago
One argument I like is that if you're only interested in practical value of science, then consider that the data processing requirements for CERN operating the LHC were a large factor driving the development of cloud computing. The value of cloud computing in the economy is so large that if the project accelerated it by just a small amount, that added value is still to be measured in the billions of dollars.
And that's not even considering the value of technological developments such as better magnets that were needed to build and upgrade the collider.
- deleted 6y ago[deleted]
- kamikaz1k 6y agoWould you be willing to cite that claim? It does not match up with my understanding of how the market was being developed.
- philipov 6y agoI'm paraphrasing Nima Arkani-Hamed in a lecture where he talks about the value of doing fundamental research, but I wasn't able to find a concrete link to it in 30 minutes of skimming on youtube, since there are many many hours of those lectures to go through.
- not_knuth 6y agoNot sure whether you were specifically interested in the history of cloud computing or unconvinced by the justification of CERNs existence. But FWIW, another spinoff of CERN was the web.
- unishark 6y agoyou'd have to compare it to the result of that same brain power doing something else.
- alisonkisk 6y agoThat's because scientists had political power. If the same investment went to support government operations or business in general, it would have motivated to the same productivity much more cost efficiently.