Given the credible estimate that we’ve spent $1 trillion on anti-terrorism security (this does not include our many foreign wars), that’s $62.5 billion per life lost. Is there any other risk that we are even remotely as crazy about?
Bruce Schneier
September 15, 2011
Crypto-Gram Newsletter
[Some people are that crazy about guns. But for the most part I think Schneier has it nailed.—Joe]
I think that even the most ardent “If it saves one life” type would agree that $60+ billion per life is too much.
It is not only $1,000,000,000,000 spent divided by some number of lives lost on 9/11.
Perhaps it is $1T spent divided by some number of lives saved.
Or perhaps it is $1T spent divided by some number of terrorists killed.
Or perhaps it is $1T spent divided by some number of people freed from their dictatorships.
Perhaps it is the sum of all the above, which provides a much more reasonable return per dollar spent.