Daily blog (audio): "They didn't just send that money up in a rocket" [Brian Cox said]

<p>"They didn't just send that money up in a rocket" [Brian Cox said]</p> <p><br> <br> We're on a mission to help one million people RISE by 2030 - join the movement at <a href="http://www.myrise.co.uk/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.myrise.co.uk</a></p> <p><br></p> <p>Five years ago the wife and I went to see ‘In Conversation with Professor Brian Cox + Professor Tim O’Brien’ at Saint Michael’s Church in Macclesfield.</p> <p>It was part of that year’s Barnaby Festival.</p> <p>It was really interesting.</p> <p>I did a blog about it at the time (googling ‘Brian Cox Macclesfield’ brings it up first).</p> <p>But a line from it popped into my head the other day.</p> <p>When discussing the cost to the country of the pandemic.</p> <p>Brian was responding to a question from the audience.</p> <p>About the cost of some sort of space exploration project (I forget which one exactly).</p> <p>And whether he felt it was a worthwhile use of tax payer’s money.</p> <p>In short, he did.</p> <p>For a few reasons.</p> <p>In part, because, as the blog title shows, “They didn’t just send that money up in a rocket”.</p> <p>The money was spent on paying people, mostly in this country, to do work.</p> <p>On purchases from suppliers based in this country.</p> <p>All of whom would then pay tax, spend in the economy, etc.</p> <p>It isn’t just a cost.</p> <p>Like many things.</p> <p>It’s tempting to think that healthier eating and exercise are a cost.</p> <p>Of our time.</p> <p>Of our money.</p> <p>Of our energy and focus.</p> <p>But, if anything, they’re the biggest investment we can make.</p> <p>Not only can we get those back…………</p> <p>We can end up ”in profit’.</p> <p>More energy and focus over all.</p> <p>More productive use of the time we do have (it’s pretty common that I see people who’ve joined here briefly, left because they’re “too busy” and are then listing the hundreds of hours of box sets they’ve been watching – time isn’t the issue there, it’s energy).</p> <p>Potentially more income due to our increased focus, energy and p