Comment by hobofan

I think it makes more sense if it's not viewed under the aspect of trying to be maximally productive in its output. If you look at it over they years, they've also tried to do a share of public outreach / education (though I'm not sure how successful), and I think they also sustain themselves in terms of labor with burnt out tech people that are looking for a change of scenery.

So similar to a good zoo, that does both active conservation work, and at the same time public education (e.g. in the form of guided tours for school trips).

> I guess that's why it seems to languish in obscurity.

I think even in a well-executed form, it would likely still be quite obscure, as there is next to no need for it in western societies (apart from emergency preperation).