Government Efficiency
More government efficiency is always better than less government efficiency [1,2]. But, today is as good a day as any to remember that the NSF gave us the internet π, GPS π°οΈ , MRI π©», AI π€ and much much more π
Moreover, NSF spending has hovered at 2-3% of GDP for decades. Regardless of how you feel about government spending, clearly not the right place to look [3]
Here is a blurb on the topic from ChatGPT β->
List generated by ChatGPT:
π Government-Funded Breakthroughs That Changed the World π
Many of the most life-changing innovations we use today were made possible by government funding through NSF, DARPA, DOE, NIH, and other agencies. These discoveries have saved lives, created millions of jobs, and generated trillions in economic value.
Here are some of the most groundbreaking inventions and discoveries that reshaped our world! π
π» Tech & Computing
π The Internet (DARPA) β The backbone of modern society, fueling a $5+ trillion digital economy and creating *
*millions of jobs** in tech, e-commerce, and communication.
π‘ GPS (Global Positioning System) (DARPA & DoD) β Powers everything from Uber to Google Maps, enabling a $1.4
trillion navigation industry and saving countless lives through emergency services.
π Googleβs Search Algorithm (NSF) β The foundation of Google, a company worth $1.7+ trillion,
revolutionizing the way billions access information.
π₯ Touchscreen Technology (NSF & CIA) β Used in 5 billion+ smartphones, creating an industry worth hundreds of
billions in mobile devices.
π€ AI & Voice Assistants (DARPA) β Paved the way for Siri, Alexa, and ChatGPT, fueling the $200+ billion AI
industry and transforming automation, healthcare, and cybersecurity.
π₯ Medical Breakthroughs
𧲠MRI & CT Scans (NSF, NIH, DOE) β Essential for early cancer detection and life-saving diagnoses, used in *
*tens of millions** of scans annually, reducing mortality rates.
π mRNA Vaccines (NIH & BARDA) β The technology behind COVID-19 vaccines, saving millions of lives and
helping the world recover from a $10+ trillion economic crisis.
𧬠CRISPR Gene Editing (NSF & NIH) β A revolutionary genetic tool, with potential to cure genetic diseases
and create an entirely new biotech industry valued at $5+ billion today.
π¦Ύ Bionic Limbs & Prosthetics (DARPA) β Advanced prosthetic technology that has restored mobility to thousands,
especially injured veterans and amputees.
β‘ Energy & Sustainability
π Lithium-Ion Batteries (DOE) β The foundation of electric vehicles (EVs), smartphones, and laptops, driving a *
*$500+ billion clean energy revolution** and reducing fossil fuel dependence.
βοΈ Solar & Wind Energy (DOE) β Government investment helped cut costs by 90%, making renewables the cheapest
energy source, creating millions of jobs and driving $1 trillion in investments.
π Nuclear Fusion Research (DOE) β The holy grail of clean energy, with the potential to **generate limitless power
**, eliminate fossil fuels, and create an entirely new energy economy.
π Aerospace & Transportation
π Self-Driving Cars (DARPA) β DARPAβs Grand Challenge kickstarted autonomous vehicle research, now driving a *
*$600+ billion industry** with the potential to save millions of lives lost in car crashes.
π° Reusable Rockets (NASA & DARPA) β SpaceX, Blue Origin, and others built on NASAβs research, reducing launch costs
by 90% and enabling a $500 billion commercial space economy.
π© Carbon Fiber Composites (DOE & DoD) β Lightweight, ultra-strong materials that revolutionized aviation,
automotive, and sports equipment, creating hundreds of thousands of high-tech jobs.
π± Biotech & Agriculture
πΎ GMO & Drought-Resistant Crops (USDA & NSF) β Feeding billions by increasing crop yields, reducing food
shortages, and supporting a $400+ billion global agricultural industry.
π¬ Biofuels & Artificial Photosynthesis (DOE) β Government-backed research has led to cleaner, more sustainable
fuels, reducing carbon emissions and creating thousands of green-energy jobs.
π‘ Publicly funded research has been a catalyst for world-changing innovationsβsaving lives, creating jobs, and generating massive economic growth. π
Which one surprises you the most? Letβs discuss! β¬οΈ
#Innovation #Technology #Science #GovernmentFunding #NSF #DARPA #DOE #AI #Healthcare #Sustainability π
References
[^1] Science funding agency threatened with mass layoffs
[^2] Outrageous taxpayer funded higher ed research projects doge can investigate