Rand Simberg wrote:
On Sun, 03 Sep 2006 19:57:27 GMT, in a place far, far away, Monte
Davis made the phosphor on my monitor glow
in such a way as to indicate that:

(Henry Spencer) wrote:

The world of manifest destiny and wide-eyed dreams is also
a world of competing private projects on tight budgets

And, inevitably, considerable duplication of effort as the corollary
of something good: many innovators trying different solutions.

That's how capitalism works. Having two gas stations across the
street from each other is obviously "duplication of effort."
Socialists see it as waste--capitalists see it as competition. Guess
which view generates more wealth, and plunges more prices...

That's how new ideas develop, be it private or public. When there are
lots of ideas, interest and money, there are new rockets, new gas
stations and dot-com companies. When enthusiasm wanes, programs are cut
back, stations close and companies fold.
Having several programs just means there is as yet no clearly best way
to do it, but there is enough money to try anything.

John Halpenny