Half the time, it sounds like a start-up company that tanks because:
a) they were grossly under-capitalized for the necessary further engineering development; or b) they completely misjudged their market.
A third of the time, it sounds like a DoD program* that is ultimately canceled because:
a) it was hilariously unworkable, but a *terrific* boondoggle ("creates jobs in MY district", etc.); b) gulps down appropriation after appropriation because of the unforeseen further engineering development;
otherwise, it is eventually made to work, but after so much time that it is obsolete for dealing with the *then-current* perceived threat.
Most of the remaining time, it sounds so mundane that in another ten to fifteen years, people are constantly forgetting it in lavatory stalls or on bus seats.
* more on this in _Augustine's Laws_
** I could do a fine business re-selling the cell-phones, iPods, etc. I've found left behind where I work
no subject
a) they were grossly under-capitalized for the necessary further engineering development; or
b) they completely misjudged their market.
A third of the time, it sounds like a DoD program* that is ultimately canceled because:
a) it was hilariously unworkable, but a *terrific* boondoggle ("creates jobs in MY district", etc.);
b) gulps down appropriation after appropriation because of the unforeseen further engineering development;
otherwise, it is eventually made to work, but after so much time that it is obsolete for dealing with the *then-current* perceived threat.
Most of the remaining time, it sounds so mundane that in another ten to fifteen years, people are constantly forgetting it in lavatory stalls or on bus seats.
* more on this in _Augustine's Laws_
** I could do a fine business re-selling the cell-phones, iPods, etc. I've found left behind where I work