One is real cash going into the hands of ordinary people for everyday purchases, which has proven (in various studies) to have helped parents/families and the financially struggled.

The other is "knowledge and skills" that seem remote and detached from people's lives.

As someone whose life isn't affected much by either of these, I would choose the stimulus every time.

The money was not vaporized by aerospace companies, it's largely spent in US on salaries, subcontractors, etc. Not against stimulus but to call out the amount in comparison is reasonable.