| > much of what it does do could easily be replaced with a generative AI model that produces new space pictures for desktop backgrounds. Ok, you're obviously trolling here. This is clearly bait. But for anyone else reading this: NASA's budget for 2023 was roughly $25 billion [0] For the same year, NASA generated (again, roughly) $76 billion in economic output [1]. Every dollar of funding goes back into the economy three-fold. Doesn't really seem like a waste to me. Also, NASA's operations in 2023 created/supported over 300,000 jobs to Americans[2]. Again, doesn't seem like a waste to me. [0] - https://www.nasa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/fiscal-year-... [1] - https://www.nasa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/final-fy23-n... [2] - https://www.nasa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/nasa-fy23-ec... |
Only a little. The point is "waste" and "efficiency" are so subjective to be a near meaningless concepts. You could make the same points you did about many of the things Musk wants to cut, but they're not going to resonate to a tech audience like cutting NASA does. It's basically a temple of geek religion.
> NASA's budget for 2023 was roughly $25 billion [0]
That money could fund a lot of housing assistance or healthcare.
Personally, I think the things that "engineers" like should be cut first instead of being protected.