wrote in message
oups.com...

Pete Lynn wrote:
We have to reasonably estimate a dollar value for
this intangible wealth return if we are to make
rational investment decisions.

Really? What's the dollar value of the return from,
say, the NEA, the DOEducation, the USAF, the US
Army, the State Department?

A reasonable estimate would require a detailed analysis by experts in he
field, there are many techniques, direct and indirect, for estimating
such values.

How do universities assign value to pure research? Do you think that the
value of pure research should not be quantified?

While difficult to estimate, to not attempt to quantify such intangible
wealth is to bet at random. Betting at random quickly results in a
directionless and unaccountable programs.

Do you think that NASA should not be judged, or held accountable for the
intangible wealth it generates?

Pete.