3 ms·

What do you think happens with the money? It's not burned. Ideally, the project also employs people that use their money to exchange it for goods and services,

by maweki 5y ago

What do you think happens with the money? It's not burned. Ideally, the project also employs people that use their money to exchange it for goods and services, which in turn might make some children not go hungry. Consumption is not bad (up to ecological damage). Wealth hoarding and concentration is bad.

chroem- 5y ago
If the goal is economic stimulus, why not spend it on something with a better scientific ROI?
- nine_k 5y ago
  Which, for instance?
  - chroem- 5y ago
    If we're talking about megaprojects, a mini-Manhattan Project of sorts for developing better theories of superconductivity would be extremely beneficial. Practical room temperature superconductors would totally revolutionize our society. We're close, but we're not quite there yet.
    - pas 5y ago
      The usual question is what to do with the those who don't know anything about that, don't really want to. Should particle physics simply ended? Should they go and beg for money from billionaires?
      - chroem- 5y ago
        We don't coddle other professions with declining ROI like that. Why should particle physics be an exception? Anyone else would be told to "learn to code".
        pas 5y ago
        Except when folks accidentally elect someone who keeps telling coal miners that let's bring back coal.
- nico_h 5y ago
  You could also try to repair all the bridges from the east coast to the west coast, but I'm not sure you'd cross the Appalachian trail with that little of a budget.
mannerheim 5y ago
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parable_of_the_broken_window https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parable_of_the_broken_window