Hi Robin -

A zero-sum view of the money spent will lead to this conclusion. But is it possible that the inspiration of “great” projects like Apollo, etc., lead some individuals to do even greater things that move humanity forward? Did Columbus come to the new world in order to better utilize the budget of Spain?

Today I see people like Elon Musk, who have great dreams, as our Christopher Columbuses. Musk wants to bring humans to Mars. Is there an immediate payoff in that? Of course not, but it definitely resonates with the view of humans as an expansive race that grows and advances in every way. And it is immensely inspiring.

Very best,

Cliff (someone who was so inspired by Apollo that I stayed home from school for every single Gemini and Apollo launch, plotting them on a world map, and went on to study physics and get two graduate degrees)