One problem with this strategy is that the sort of workforce you will attract to a make work project is much different than with an exciting new technology. If

One problem with this strategy is that the sort of workforce you will attract to a make work project is much different than with an exciting new technology. If you're essentially telling your workers that what they're doing isn't very important, why would they bust their butts and make major sacrifices in their lives to do it (as SpaceX employees do)?