> Not true. The existence of privately-funded fusion efforts implies that some people think there is a reasonable expectation
Examine some of those efforts in detail and you will realize utterly bonkers nonsense can still get funding. One well known effort was told 20 years ago their scheme didn't work, but wishful thinking springs eternal.
Yes, government-subsidized hype is a fantastic generator of venture capital money, which just like gov't funding never needs to produce any ROI.
VC fusion seems relatively harmless, vs public subsidy, but each one is siphoning money away from projects that could actually work, particularly battery improvements, solar electrolysis catalysts, ammonia synthesis, and other renewables support.
Examine some of those efforts in detail and you will realize utterly bonkers nonsense can still get funding. One well known effort was told 20 years ago their scheme didn't work, but wishful thinking springs eternal.