I wonder how we can qualify or quantify your statment “valuable in some way for the greater pursuit of knowledge.” This is a concept I have struggled with over the years with many people. Interesting how some people consider some things “worthy” of expending resources (financial and human) upon, while other things are not. I consider the political frameworks (hmm, didn’t the Demoncrats say they would end the war if elected) as well as perceptions of public interest (to what extent will people punish Mattel for lead paint in toys) to non-profits (how much of every dollar you drop into the buckets of VFW groups collecting money in supermarket parking lots around national holidays goes to funds other than the drinking fund)?

I seem to have gotten diverted here . . .