When NASA launched the Apollo Program, it was a means by which the United States could engage in a resource-intensive competition with the Soviet Union, without either side firing any shots. It was actually quite clever for that reason, alone — and probably saved far more lives than it claimed, as a result — so we must take this into account in any cost–benefit analysis of that venerated Program. Also, while our focus was then on the Moon, the resulting technological advancements have since improved life here on Earth, for people all around the globe.
By some accounts, China is currently pushing for a military presence in space — in particular, satellites that could potentially target other countries. If this is so, it may be desirable for the US Military to develop a Space Force simply to keep them from having a monopoly on armed satellites (similar to the nuclear standoff). However ironically, it’s been said that whoever controls outer space will control this planet. (Though I’m not sure how much credence I give such speculation.)
However, it occurs to me that there are also some significant downsides to continued exploration. For one thing, since colonizing Mars is nigh impossible, for a whole slew of reasons (there are some good YouTube videos about this, but I’m out of links today), it seems to me it would make more sense to invest the same resources colonizing Earth’s deserts and oceans. I mean we ought to look at the uninhabited parts of our own planet before we even consider going to another one, right? And however imperfect our environment might be, it will always be more hospitable than that one. ̄\_(ツ)_/ ̄
Then there is this aspect, so eloquently expressed by the African-American poet Gil Scott-Heron:
> A rat done bit my sister Nell
> (with Whitey on the Moon).
> Her face and arms began to swell
> (and Whitey’s on the Moon).
> I can’t pay no doctor bill
> (but Whitey’s on the Moon).
> Ten years from now I’ll be payin’ still
> (while Whitey’s on the Moon).
> The man jus’ upped my rent las’ night
> (’cause Whitey’s on the Moon).
> No hot water, no toilets, no lights
> (but Whitey’s on the Moon).
> I wonder why he’s uppi’ me?
> (’Cause Whitey’s on the Moon?)
> I was already payin’ ’im fifty a week
> (with Whitey on the Moon).
> Taxes takin’ my whole damn check;
> junkies makin’ me a nervous wreck;
> the price of food is goin’ up;
> and — as if all that shit wasn’t enough —
> a rat done bit my sister Nell
> (with Whitey on the Moon).
> Her face an’ arm began to swell
> (but Whitey’s on the Moon).
> Was all that money I made las’ year
> for Whitey on the Moon?
> How come there ain’t no money here?
> (Hm! Whitey’s on the Moon.)
> Y’know, I jus’ ’bout had my fill
> of Whitey on the Moon.
> I think I’ll sen’ these doctor bills
> Airmail Special,
> To: Whitey on the Moon.
^_^ So, what do you think? Is the continued exploration of space a necessary pursuit, or is it just a waste of resources at this point? For posterity’s sake as well as our own, should we be gazing upward & outward, or would we be better off focusing downward & inward? Discuss.
By some accounts, China is currently pushing for a military presence in space — in particular, satellites that could potentially target other countries. If this is so, it may be desirable for the US Military to develop a Space Force simply to keep them from having a monopoly on armed satellites (similar to the nuclear standoff). However ironically, it’s been said that whoever controls outer space will control this planet. (Though I’m not sure how much credence I give such speculation.)
However, it occurs to me that there are also some significant downsides to continued exploration. For one thing, since colonizing Mars is nigh impossible, for a whole slew of reasons (there are some good YouTube videos about this, but I’m out of links today), it seems to me it would make more sense to invest the same resources colonizing Earth’s deserts and oceans. I mean we ought to look at the uninhabited parts of our own planet before we even consider going to another one, right? And however imperfect our environment might be, it will always be more hospitable than that one. ̄\_(ツ)_/ ̄
Then there is this aspect, so eloquently expressed by the African-American poet Gil Scott-Heron:
> A rat done bit my sister Nell
> (with Whitey on the Moon).
> Her face and arms began to swell
> (and Whitey’s on the Moon).
> I can’t pay no doctor bill
> (but Whitey’s on the Moon).
> Ten years from now I’ll be payin’ still
> (while Whitey’s on the Moon).
> The man jus’ upped my rent las’ night
> (’cause Whitey’s on the Moon).
> No hot water, no toilets, no lights
> (but Whitey’s on the Moon).
> I wonder why he’s uppi’ me?
> (’Cause Whitey’s on the Moon?)
> I was already payin’ ’im fifty a week
> (with Whitey on the Moon).
> Taxes takin’ my whole damn check;
> junkies makin’ me a nervous wreck;
> the price of food is goin’ up;
> and — as if all that shit wasn’t enough —
> a rat done bit my sister Nell
> (with Whitey on the Moon).
> Her face an’ arm began to swell
> (but Whitey’s on the Moon).
> Was all that money I made las’ year
> for Whitey on the Moon?
> How come there ain’t no money here?
> (Hm! Whitey’s on the Moon.)
> Y’know, I jus’ ’bout had my fill
> of Whitey on the Moon.
> I think I’ll sen’ these doctor bills
> Airmail Special,
> To: Whitey on the Moon.
^_^ So, what do you think? Is the continued exploration of space a necessary pursuit, or is it just a waste of resources at this point? For posterity’s sake as well as our own, should we be gazing upward & outward, or would we be better off focusing downward & inward? Discuss.