[extropy-chat] What % of global economic activity is dependant on military activity?

[Dirk Bruere]

Lifespan Pharma Inc. wrote:

> What I mean is to delineate the point of diminishing  returns at which
> testing out technology by military enterprises no longer serves the 
> purpose
> of yielding information from which to make more durable or efficient
>  or yield  improved  technological innovations.
>
> Putting AK47's and and landmines cannot possibly yield much towards an 
> improved human condition.
> Putting up a GPS satellite network does improve the human condition in 
> measureable ways.
>
> One could begin to classify global military activity into  a spectrum 
> and rate the
> societal or other  benefits,  short, medium and long term  of these 
> activities.
>
> This like QALY ratings for medical intervention economics  might yield 
> a cost/benefit
> system for military activity economics.
>
> This might allow rationalization of global military economics.

The problem is that actually deploying weapons has no economic benefit 
whatsoever - just the reverse.
If, say, the military obsession was replaced by a space colonisation 
obsession I think we would see all the benefits we currently get from 
military spending plus a 'deployment benefit' of vast magnitude.

-- 
Dirk

The Consensus:-
The political party for the new millenium
http://www.theconsensus.org



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