NASA Activity Discussion

[Xan]

What do you think about NASA's current goings-on? Do you think funding is being allocated appropriately? Should NASA be disbanded for being a bunch of star-gazing hippies?

I think space exploration is paramount to almost anything else. Space exploration is a multi-disciplinary field that exercises our ability to respond to adversity, be it scientific, economic or even social in nature.

As for the colonization of other planets, I take an approach of preparedness; it's better to know more in the present so we don't have to scramble when whatever now-inconceivable events force us to make drastic decisions. At the bottom line, space colonization is a backup plan; if something catastrophic were to happen to the earth or the colony, there would still be humans left after the dust settled.

Besides, isn't it just magical? The inspiration of a far-away place that pushes humanity's creativity and resourcefulness is alright in my book.

[Leon]

If we (humanity) would just chill the fuck out a bit (war), then we could definitely move funding from huge sectors of government (defense) and invest in the future.

Of course, I think medical funding should also be a beneficiary of moved funds from defense, as well.

[Naren]

I already expressed my opinions in the Post Office thread. But disbanding NASA would be one of the most idiotic things we could do. Granted... the US government does a lot of idiotic things...

Originally Posted by Leon

If we (humanity) would just chill the fuck out a bit (war), then we could definitely move funding from huge sectors of government (defense) and invest in the future.

Of course, I think medical funding should also be a beneficiary of moved funds from defense, as well.

[ohio_eric]

Originally Posted by Leon

If we (humanity) would just chill the fuck out a bit (war), then we could definitely move funding from huge sectors of government (defense) and invest in the future.

Of course, I think medical funding should also be a beneficiary of moved funds from defense, as well.

Also one of the huge upsides to space exploration is that the technology they develop for space travel gets applied to everyday life on Earth.

[Leon]

Originally Posted by ohio_eric

Also one of the huge upsides to space exploration is that the technology they develop for space travel gets applied to everyday life on Earth.

It's money well spent.

[Naren]

Originally Posted by Leon

It's money well spent.

+10000

People who think that it's money being wasted on something that has nothing to do with them have no idea what they're talking about.

[Xan]

Originally Posted by Leon

If we (humanity) would just chill the fuck out a bit (war), then we could definitely move funding from huge sectors of government (defense) and invest in the future.

Of course, I think medical funding should also be a beneficiary of moved funds from defense, as well.

How much is "a bit?"

I suppose that reveals another aspect of space exploration; it's an international endeavor that truly tests the cooperative tolerances of all the nations involved. It's true, the poorest and least developed nations (I doubt Sudan is worried about space exploration) are generally excluded from space exploration, and one could even argue the money spent on mythical-things-outside-the-atmosphere would be better used to foster and support infrastructure and the like in developing countries.

That's a whole other discussion on philanthropy and greed, however. Dammit, governments, keep allocating more money to space programs, because with the funds you pour into defense (war) departments...

[Leon]

Well, people from the Sudan are still a part of the total human experience. And you've hit the nail on the head: it needs to be an international venture, which means people would need to stop bickering so much. And people love to throw shit at eachother, so I don't really foresee such a thing happening soon

[Xan]

Which means there would need to a catastrophic event on the verge of unfolding in order to push humanity in the right direction.

"Oh, hey... yea, sorry about the bombing... but listen, there's an asteroid headed our way... want to join our space program(want to help us get off the planet before you do?)"

Let the fatalism ensue.

[Leon]

Catastrophe has historically been the only thing that brings people together.