Comments on: A (Humble) Case for Space Exploration

By: twittenjger

twittenjger — Wed, 15 Aug 2012 21:06:43 +0000

I ask why we need inspiration from space to spur economic growth, incite interest in the maths and sciences, refocus cultural energy and revoluzionize the way we understand reality and humanity?
I think exactly the problems we have on earth with divisive, discouraging and destructive trends and dynamics are as much interesting and challenging to get analysed – mathematically as well – and solved as is the encounter of questions beyond everyday life, somewhere out there in what we think to be “space” and we persuade ourselves to be able to name it.
I get the impression, that the enthusiasm about space research is a kind of escape from the reality on earth. It reminds me somebody trying to conduct an orchestra with no idea of a scale.

By: Robin

Robin — Thu, 09 Aug 2012 21:37:23 +0000

Thanks for the link to the article, now I know who I’m quoting!

By: thatbiatch1982

thatbiatch1982 — Thu, 09 Aug 2012 10:53:35 +0000

The people who cause the problems on our earth are the ones whose paradigm (or superstitions) won’t ever shift. We need to focus on education an making our tenure on this planet sustainable, it will still be cheaper to fix earth than to terraform another world.

By: kollshi17

kollshi17 — Wed, 08 Aug 2012 01:57:55 +0000

thank you

By: A Fettered Mind

A Fettered Mind — Tue, 07 Aug 2012 23:05:02 +0000

Reblogged this on A Fettered Mind and commented: A timely reminder to look at the big BIG picture!

By: theopedproject

theopedproject — Tue, 07 Aug 2012 21:09:27 +0000

A.F.M. -

It makes sense that one should be disconcerted about the staggering and uneven (more than half of the entire U.S. budget) amount of money that funds militaristic “defense.” Less than 1% of G.D.P. funds space/technology initiatives.

Also, I’d not heard of the “Mars Trilogy,” so thanks for sharing that as well.

- J. J. Morr

By: theopedproject

theopedproject — Tue, 07 Aug 2012 20:59:45 +0000

Robin -

It was astronaut Ron Garan! “The Atlantic” ran a kitschy little article about him as an “astronaut 2.0″ back in March, which can be read here: http://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2012/03/if-the-dinosaurs-had-a-space-program-theyd-still-be-here/254873/.

Thanks for sharing this great (and prescient) quotation with us,
J. J.

By: theopedproject

theopedproject — Tue, 07 Aug 2012 20:55:29 +0000

Terry -

Your insight and personal narrative are very welcome and provide a wonderful context (and example) for the sort of “inspiration” to be had through such extraterrestrial endeavors. You’re also right to point out that I’ve merely made “a beginning case” here, one sorely lacking a more in-depth argument regarding the implications of space travel in a modern context. This is, of course, why I’m so happy that a conversation has been started here. More questions, more points for discussion, more commiseration or disagreement.

It’s also amazing to hear about your World Book Encyclopedia. Wish I’d have had something like that as a child, although “Zoobooks” and Jules Verne seemed to have sufficed for me then.

xo,
J. J.

By: Terry Morr

Terry Morr — Tue, 07 Aug 2012 16:02:26 +0000

Very nicely done, J.J. Morr. I think you make a great beginning case. I believe the successful landing and utilization of Curiosity is one more “giant leap for mankind”. Sorry to see a few ignorant, near-sighted comments above. As a child of the space age, I can tell you it was great inspiration for me. I took a greater interest in science and astronomy; because of the excellent Space content of the 1968 World Book Encyclopedia (I was 8) and because it cost my parents $800 which may have well have been a million to them, knowing what they made, I went ahead and read every book, A-Z…no lie. I built, successfully launched AND retrieved model rockets. I learned. I never made it into space but I made it into a field where I saved lives. Believe it not, mankind has been the beneficiary of a vast wealth of knowledge and technology, in addition to just Tang; even entire industries, thanks to space exploration. Thanks for your insight and for propagating the idea of supporting ongoing space exploration, nerd-girl. Let’s hope this generates a few more nerds, if that is what this implies =0) Peace.

By: shlunka

shlunka — Mon, 06 Aug 2012 23:33:45 +0000

Sorry to be pessimistic, but if space is so vast and incomprehensible, isn’t it somewhat of a waste of time trying to understand it? I think we merely venture out into it, as a way to further human accomplishments, in all seriousness, there’s plenty to worry about here on Earth.