I was thinking about the transistor (and hence computers etc), rather than the LCD. As for the study - yes, such returns are very difficult to measure or even

I was thinking about the transistor (and hence computers etc), rather than the LCD. As for the study - yes, such returns are very difficult to measure or even estimate accurately, as the range of estimates suggest. But won't you agree that a) the consensus is that R&D is extremely valuable, and b) this can probably be extrapolated to basic scientific research? (I feel that I am about to gain a convert to the cause of supporting scientific research... my time here has been well spent).