Human space exploration

[I think not]

Is space exploration really desirable at a time when so much needs doing on Earth? It is an often-asked and serious question that requires a serious answer. One could present many arguments, from jobs and education to technology development and national security, for undertaking a robust space program. In an ideal world only one argument is necessary, though in the real world some would argue it is not sufficient. That argument is exploration, and that we should undertake it for the most basic of reasons -- our self-preservation as a creative, as opposed to a stagnating, society.

Imagine looking at earth from space. For the last few million years nothing happens, then in 1969, a small blip as a tiny spec leaves earth, touches the moon and then, blip, back again. This happens a few more times and then nothing.

People complain about costly things such as space exploration and high energy physics experiments. Why spend money on these things when we have issues like poverty?

This argument is nihilistic. Why do we build monuments, paint, make films, write music, when there is still poverty all around? There is enough food in the world; poverty is the result of politics, exploitation and war above all.

Human space exploration is one of our greatest achievements. To try and rationalize unmanned space flight on the grounds of practicality misses the point, it is like saying that the Sistine Chapel would be brighter if it were whitewashed.

As a byproduct, space exploration provides us with expensive toys that are not designed for killing each other

 

[Reverend Blair]

RE: Human space explorati

Plus, since the money boys are so intent on trashing this planet, we need to find a way to get to another planet so we can destroy it.

 

[Laika]

I think space exploration is important because it helps us to answer questions about nature that are hidden to us from earth.

However, I think space exploration by humans is a naive notion. Humans evolved on earth. We, today's humans, are unalterably designed to survive on this planet, to breath oxygen, and drink water. Consider that the distances in space are enormous and would therefore require a lot of time, energy, and resources. Travel that takes us from this planet by today's humans can only be short-term excursions or use technologies that would adjust our physiology to withstand space travel (genetically engineered space men?).

I think the answer to long term and long distance exploration is ROBOTICS! Besides, I would feel a lot better about sending a massively expensive robot into space and possibly outside our solar system; than, say a poor little puppy, doomed to die, like Laika! <sniffle>

 

[dumpthemonarchy]

Well, the stay at home crowd is in full throat. Let's just do nothing, live boring lives and drink beer in front of the TV. Send up the machines, robots some say. How exciting, more TV time. Exactly what the world needs. But those who wish to stay at home must be allowed to do so. Be a shut-in.

Revy Blair, is the planet so trashed? You're still alive, breathing such horrible bad air day after day. Plant a tree is what I say.

The Russians are working on a mock 500 day experiment to test people for a future mission to Mars. This will likely occur. Japan wants to put a man on the moon, although a lunar base would be far better to allow further exploration of the solar system. There is business in mining on the moon and some of us would like to experience a lunar day and night.

Space is a great world civilization project, it looks ahead, not to the past.

 

[Reverend Blair]

Revy Blair, is the planet so trashed?

It's definitely getting there and it will take time to develop the technology needed for space colonies.

Plant a tree is what I say.

I've already planted two this year.

Don't get me wrong, dumpthemonarchy, I'm not against exploration of space...human or robotic. I just worry that the we've been doing things lately that we will repeat all the same mistake even while we use space travel as an excuse to to clean up our act at home.

Humans evolved on earth. We, today's humans, are unalterably designed to survive on this planet, to breath oxygen, and drink water. Consider that the distances in space are enormous and would therefore require a lot of time, energy, and resources.

Generation ships using solar sails solve those problems without the need for faster than light travel. I would think that bases on the moon and Mars would be the first steps to that though.

 

[EagleSmack]

Re: RE: Human space explorati

Plus, since the money boys are so intent on trashing this planet, we need to find a way to get to another planet so we can destroy it.

I agree Rev... why should we destroy our own planet!

I cannot wait until the first inter-planetary nuke missle launch. That would be so incredible.

 

[dumpthemonarchy]

Revy-Blair, I'm glad you're not against space travel. I get the feeling you want the earth to be not trashed first, then we can do something else. We have messed the world up, and China will be doing a huge number on the earth as they buy millions of cars. But many things happen at once

Quote: "As a byproduct, space exploration provides us with expensive toys that are not designed for killing each other." Yes, who has ever heard of "astronaut brutality" or "astronaut racism"? We love astronauts, too bad these few and rare people who have experienced zero gravity and have seen the Earth as ball hanging in space are holed up in offices. Proof positive the Canadian govt loves keeping everything it can a secret.

I read Marc Garneau's name being proposed for Governor General, what a waste. But typical.

 

[zenfisher]

:twisted: hmmmm... I'm kinda wondering about the title of this thread 8O 8O

 

[Reverend Blair]

Revy-Blair, I'm glad you're not against space travel. I get the feeling you want the earth to be not trashed first, then we can do something else.

You've got the wrong feeling then. The technology that allows us to move into space can aid in untrashing the planet. What we need to do is change our attitudes though. The push for the moon and Mars, or even the asteroid belt, is not knowledge or expanding and developing technology. It is profit. When profit is the only motive, we destroy things.

 

[Karlin]

Re: Lots of money for both if...

IThinkNot is referring to the wise use of our resources, financial and energy., etc.

"There is so much work to do here on earth first" is absolutley true, but the fact we are not getting it done has no real connection to space travel.

If you really want to do "the good work" here, and don't think we can afford it, well thats a mistake. There is lots and lots of money to work with to fund space flight, save Africa, erase homelessness and poverty,and clean up the envoronment.

The ease with which BushCo found the half-billion dollars for fighting terrorism speaks volumes.
The money with which Canadians funded the sponsorship scandal is another bit of clear evidence that "the money is available".

Its just that the Elites have the bulk of the world's wealth tied up in their own accounts, and are increasing their share each year. This is factual, with about 90% of the world's wealth in just 5% of the people's hands, and its increasing. Nations like America are making tax changes where only the top 0.5% got any tax breaks.

National budgets account for just a small portion of the worlds wealth, and DID WE NOT ALL HAVE A HAND IN CREATING THAT WEALTH? Could the Elites Wealthy do anything without the POOR?
"THE POOR ARE A GREAT SOURCE OF WEALTH" is a favorite quote going back 200 years. The point is that the wealthy do not have a completely justifyed right to contain the worlds wealth when it is so desperately needed.

Its gotten so bad that some people are calling for an end to the most amazing projects mankind has ever attempted, going beyond the earth and into space. And that would be a sad end to human endevours, serving to crush our spirits as much as war does. Hmmmmm, maybe thats the plan eh?

here is a link to the evidence for my point:
Consultants Pocket $20 Billion of Global Aid:
http://www.straightgoods.ca/ViewNote5.cfm?REF=158

 

[no1important]

RE: Human space explorati

An interesting story:

Scientists fend off polar bears, caribou to reach telescope

 

[dumpthemonarchy]

Even the left, like the NDP say nothing about the fact that ovr half of Cdn aid to poor countries is "tied", meaning, recipient countries must spend half of this "aid" money back in Canada. Subsidies to corporations which employ unionized workers that sometimes vote NDP or Liberal.

Space is like the health system, there just ain't enough dough for the latter, even if it ate up 100% of all fed-prov budgets.

Space will change our perspective on the world, it's quite simple really. Only a few hundred people-astronauts-and they don't talk much, once thousands feel the thrill of weightlessness with space tourism, see the earth as a hanging ball in space, and the blackness of space, things could change.