It's amazing how much goes to line the pockets of politicians and their cronies, and with the flimsiest of expected outcomes on the part of those who give, in an age in which creating actually worthwhile things, new technologies and scientific progress, is cheaper than ever.

Watching this sort of thing, knowing that the researchers behind many very worthwhile lines of medical research that might bring great benefit to hundreds of millions struggle to raise a tenth of this amount over the course of years, is ever eye-opening.

We're not a very rational species.