Comments on: Why human space travel is important

By: RD

RD — Tue, 27 Sep 2011 02:51:45 +0000

What about the permanent (deep core) bone loss experienced in space?
I with you Jacob, but can’t think of what to do with the associated bone loss “problem”.

By: Surio

Surio — Fri, 04 Mar 2011 02:19:14 +0000

Well, you already know I am pretty anti-space because my view was always based on the Cold War ego-show of space race.

But I will admit, you’ve made a very compelling case. Also, if I was forced to point out a single benefit from space travel I would have written from this perspective! Are you sure you are an INTJ? ;OP

But with “space tourism” picking up, I don’t hold much candle for humanity (as usual)

DW has a unique (INTJ?) take on this: “If travel to their neighbouring lands/around the world did not open people’s minds until now, do you think space is going to help these imagination challenged brat species?”

Oh, and a quote from my favourite book on this topic for you:

Looked at simply, this world is real and at hand.
[...] Seen as complex, the world becomes frighteningly abstract and distant. The scientists who rejoiced when rocks were brought back from the moon have less grasp of the moon than the children who sing out, “How old are you, Mr. Moon?” (by Basho A famous Japanese haiku poet (1644-1694).) could apprehend the wonder of nature by watching the reflection of the full moon in the tranquillity of a pond. All the scientists did when they went off into space and stomped around in their space boots
was to tarnish a bit of the moon’s splendour for millions of lovers and children on the
earth.

How is it that people think science is beneficial to humanity?

Nice “other” perspective, no?

By: Chad @ Sentient Money

Chad @ Sentient Money — Sat, 29 Nov 2008 15:30:47 +0000

I have to toss my agreement in as well. Wouldn’t it be cooler to die seeing the first space colony founded than dying after you bought your 35th iPod. Seriously, I have no needs at this point and time, and very few wants, so lets do something interesting as a species.

By: gnikmas

gnikmas — Fri, 28 Nov 2008 00:36:24 +0000

Well said Jacob… I couldn’t agree more.

By: Kevin M

Kevin M — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 21:51:05 +0000

Jacob – those pics of the polar bear and dogs are fantastic. I haven’t checked out No Impact Man for awhile, thanks for sharing.

By: Jacob

Jacob — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 16:11:26 +0000

@Paul – How about polar bears then?

http://noimpactman.typepad.com/blog/2008/11/weve-got-someth.html

By: Paul

Paul — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 13:45:13 +0000

How very Star Trek of you. The idea that being in space will suddenly make people better – not likely.

By: Jacob

Jacob — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 01:01:40 +0000

To compare … bailing out the banks (currently at 4 trillion and counting in terms of promises made) is the biggest undertaking the US has ever done (inflation adjusted even). In comparison, NASA cost one fifth of that, the Apollo project one fifteenth or so. The bailout is even bigger than the US cost of WWII.

We can probably argue whether the word “support” is warranted. We are running out of oil, water, and topsoil. The energy use per world capita peaked in the late 1970s. As I see it, we are rapidly spending capital. If a company was burning through assets to maintain its income, I would not invest there, but that’s exactly what we’re doing as a species.

By: Patrick

Patrick — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 21:47:38 +0000

I agree with everything but your statement that civilization peaked with the Apollo mission. There has been more peace and prosperity since that time than there ever was before. The EU comprises dozens of countries that were at war just two generations ago. Three of the former Confederate States of America just elected a black president! The Earth has never supported so many people at such a high standard of living as it does now.

But we’re close to getting so bored as a species that we could lose it all again if we don’t have anything to occupy us aside from killing each other. The Earth’s land is all explored in minute detail. There are no undiscovered kingdoms on the other side of the world. We’re all so connected, we’re quickly becoming homogeneous. We need a peaceful challenge on which to exert our energies, and we need some separation and isolation to foster diversity.

Don’t get me started on those who say that we should cure all diseases and evil on Earth before exploring the universe. That is a certain course toward failure as a species.