Anyone Else Staying Up For The CERN Announcement About The Higgs Boson Tonight?

[Aeson]

Yes, the heroic particle physicists have saved us from bombing yet another country by dangling the shiny LHC in front of our elected representatives. Had they not done so we definitely would have spent the money on something even less useful!

If we look at the US budget, the expected use of the money would be to go to something not useful. The useful/necessary stuff is already funded (for the most part, when it's not it's because of political reasons that will still exist). Any increased spending is going to be fluff at best, and likely a net negative (ponzi scheme, war, more people to stick their fingers up your ass at the airport...).

[Aeson]

Who's this "we" you're talking about? How much do you pay in us federal taxes again?

US and it's citizens. It would be bad form if I shirked my responsibility in the cluster**** that has become the US budget. I am a citizen with the ability to vote, and so am part of the problem.

[Aeson]

(I likely paid more in federal tax than HC, who KH doesn't take issue with using "we" because he's a hypocrite.)

[Propaganda]

To get back on topic, yes, I will be staying up for the announcement, and holding my breath.

[KrazyHorse]

(I likely paid more in federal tax than HC, who KH doesn't take issue with using "we" because he's a hypocrite.)

What's the projected present value of HC's taxes again? What's yours?

[Aeson]

What's the projected present value of HC's taxes again? What's yours?

Given that HC is a college student it would be pretty low. Given that I'm a dirt farmer in a developing nation mine would be pretty low too.

[Imran Siddiqui]

Given the fact that he does pay federal taxes how does that invalidate his "we" statement? People who pay more in taxes don't get more votes (though they do get to use money to buy ads for votes).

[Jon Miller]

Yes, the heroic particle physicists have saved us from bombing yet another country by dangling the shiny LHC in front of our elected representatives. Had they not done so we definitely would have spent the money on something even less useful!

I have heard claims that we funded ISS more because we stopped the SCC.

People want some fundamental science (not a lot, and some people want none). Politicians respond.

I think that the LHC is more useful than most astronomy. But astronomy (or things that appear like astronomy like the ISS) will keep funding.

JM

[Ben Kenobi]

I don't think manufacturing solar panels is an example of 'basic science'. You really have made no effort to understand what Jon Miller is saying if you think saying 'Solyndra' is some sort of rebuttal.

Government spending on science is only a public good, if the public derives any benefit from the spending. Solyndra was exactly the opposite, Obama funded a scam.

[Ben Kenobi]

Glen Beck mentally, yes we know.

Well, from what I can see, Beck never completed his post-secondary education, and is a member of a cult.

I'm much closer to Coulter in that regard, but she has a JD. She does have a history degree, just like me.

[giblets]

Government spending on science is only a public good, if the public derives any benefit from the spending. Solyndra was exactly the opposite, Obama funded a scam.

No one claimed Solyndra was a public good. Even if it had been a success, it still would have not been a public good because solar panels are private goods (rivalrous and excludable). So your example was totally irrelevant.

[giblets]

Isn't cult just a disparaging therm for 'religion'?

[Aeson]

Given the fact that he does pay federal taxes how does that invalidate his "we" statement? People who pay more in taxes don't get more votes (though they do get to use money to buy ads for votes).

You don't even have to go that far. I could pay no federal taxes and I'd still be a citizen with a vote. Even if I was a felon without a vote I'd still be a citizen. I think KH is just taking exception to the English language or something like that.

Back on topic, we already had this exact same exchange a few months ago. Maybe the LHC has created some type of disturbance in the space time continuum to bring failed posts from the past into the present. (That reminds me... instead of saving GM we should have brought back DeLoreans!)

[Ben Kenobi]

No one claimed Solyndra was a public good.

Solyndra is an example of government spending on scientific endeavours. It was also a massive scam that took advantage of Obama's ignorance of science. It's not the only similar scam this administration has funded either.

Heck, it was a great scam too. Slap a 'green' brand, and hold your hand out and watch as Obama digs some cash outta his stash. Wish I had thought of that, but I made enough money when I worked for a health food store. Green, my ass, it's just a way to get people to pay premium prices.

because solar panels are private goods (rivalrous and excludable). So your example was totally irrelevant.

Seriously - you're arguing that improved solar panels are not a public good, but funding of SpaceX is? Seems to me you've lost the thrust of your argument.

[Ben Kenobi]

Isn't cult just a disparaging therm for 'religion'?

Most religions aren't so daft as to name their angel who comes down to bless their prophet, "Moroni". I don't see how Mormonism is any different from Scientology.