[irollboozers]

It's inefficient and creates negative externalities.

[andreasvc]

Inefficient as compared to what?

[irollboozers]

Private funding, industrial innovation, etc.

Subsidized infrastructure does not practically promote risky endeavors. It's created the side effects mentioned in the original article.

[andreasvc]

It may be more inefficient, but it funds basic research without a short-term payoff, or even a suggestion of long-term payoff.