[nickff]

>” Sometimes basic science research funding is framed in terms of "this program generated $10 of economic activity for every dollar spent."”

This type of cost-benefit analysis (or economic multiplier calculation) is also used to justify public subsidy of sports stadiums and the like. Unfortunately, these analyses always use overly optimistic assumptions, and fall victim to the broken windows fallacy.

[mentalpiracy]

that’s very true, good point