[jayasena]

But all of that is besides the point.  Please re-read my post.  The government certainly can create a "public good" by supporting basic research (and building certain bridges, etc.).  My point was, in large part, that for every internet success-story the government may produce, there are dozens of ethanol-like misdirected resource stories.

Personally, i would argue the internet is *worth* dozens of ethanol-like failures. C'mon, admit it -- the Cardboard alone is worth it!

And that rate of success is not unique to the government -- private ventures fund hundreds of failed companies for every blockbuster like Google or Facebook. And that's after the government has paid for the really risky stuff the companies build on.

[jayasena]

But all of that is besides the point.  Please re-read my post.  The government certainly can create a "public good" by supporting basic research (and building certain bridges, etc.).  My point was, in large part, that for every internet success-story the government may produce, there are dozens of ethanol-like misdirected resource stories.

Personally, i would argue the internet is *worth* dozens of ethanol-like failures. C'mon, admit it -- the Cardboard alone is worth it!

And that rate of success is not unique to the government -- private ventures fund hundreds of failed companies for every blockbuster like Google or Facebook. And that's after the government has paid for the really risky stuff the companies build on.