Nuclear fusion promises to provide unlimited, cheap, safe energy for the future of humankind. It's a lofty goal and it's easy to see why so much research fun...
Also, 10s of billions seems like a stretch, it's like technically true, but it's the bare minimum (like 20ish billion). The cost is also split across USA, Canada, EU, and China. Seems so weird to obsess over a scientific expense that's smaller than those countries' space programs.
The purpose of solving hard science problem is to get unexpected experience, like learning superconducting design or plasma properties.
Also lol, 10s of billions of dollars, usa set 6 trillion on stonk line fire in a month
Also, 10s of billions seems like a stretch, it's like technically true, but it's the bare minimum (like 20ish billion). The cost is also split across USA, Canada, EU, and China. Seems so weird to obsess over a scientific expense that's smaller than those countries' space programs.