Final answer:
Intangible components of infrastructure, such as human capital and technology, contrast with physical infrastructure and are difficult to measure objectively due to their reliance on intellectual property and social constructs rather than easily quantifiable physical characteristics.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement 'The intangible components of infrastructure are the easiest to measure objectively' suggests a consideration of the non-physical aspects of infrastructure, which may include factors such as human capital, technology, and organizational systems necessary for a society to function efficiently.
These intangible components are contrasted with the physical infrastructure, which consists of tangible assets like roads, bridges, and rail systems. However, unlike physical infrastructure, intangible components are not easy to predict, can be heavily influenced by innovation and invention, and may be significantly affected by natural disasters.
It is often more challenging to measure intangible infrastructure objectively since it frequently relies on social constructs or intellectual property, as opposed to the objective characteristics of the physical universe that human beings can perceive and measure. For example, the value of technology in a product, such as the innovation that makes computers carry out advanced processes, can often be greater than the value of the physical materials that go into the product.
Investment in both physical and intangible infrastructure is crucial for economic development and social well-being. However, it's important to acknowledge that measuring the success or efficiency of intangible components of infrastructure can be complex and less straightforward than measuring the physical components.