I completely agree with your cynical fusion prognoses and have posted similar outlooks here myself, however we know of ZERO physical laws that say fusion power is not possible. You may well be correct that ITER scale multi-billion dollar fusion research is a boondoggle. I find it difficult to do a precise risk reward analysis on fusion research funds, and have a bias for modest scale experiments to demonstrate feasibility. What's disheartening is the ongoing human propensity for scientists to 'spin' their research in a way to get it funded. That applies to many areas beyond fusion.

I really need to proofread better, but I'm an impatient redhead