The ulterior goal of infrastructure is consumption. The goal of everything you suggest is consumption. Infrastructure supports businesses and employees. All these crazy R&D projects are only a success when consumption has been increased. There's not much difference between consuming reality series or some high pretentious art, a lot of people will prefer the former.
All these cheap lunches together, one for the plantage worker, the transporter, the designer, the real estate holder, the taxman, etc. etc. is the clockwork of the (global) economy.