Joe schmoe doesn't really care. What this speech would target is people who were borderline between a STEM field and something like law or finance. There's a lo

Joe schmoe doesn't really care. What this speech would target is people who were borderline between a STEM field and something like law or finance. There's a lot of brain muscle that's on the fence on whether they should choose STEM or choose a field that will make a lot more dosh. If STEM could be evangelized through a Mars program, I'm certain that there would be a lot more minds heading off into STEM. Not to mention, national pride has plenty of interesting side effects; people are more willing to invest in guv bonds, less unrest, everyone doesn't jump down the president's throat when he makes a mispronunciation, etc.