[thechat] Is NASA lost in space

Erika Meyer emeyer at lclark.edu
Mon Feb 3 17:49:00 CST 2003


>Why isn't the author talking about the $1
>trillion Bush is requesting for the military. For a year! NASA is spending
>$15b/yr. The military is about to get an increase that is double that, and
>not for research or exploration, but only to control and destroy.

I'm having trouble pulling up the article in question but I agree
that $15 billion struck me as being not all that much in terms of the
big picture... then again... I still don't know why we don't first
figure out how to learn how to live in the environment for which we
are supposed to be evolutionarily adapted.

I guess that's harder and not as fun and glorious and phallic.  I
think it's the phallic thing about military and NASA that the
non-geeks really respond to.  The great pod shooting off into the
sky... hell, the geeks too.  oh, baby show me that rocket launch...

NASA is closely tied with the military weapons development
"How Space Wars will Work"
http://www.howstuffworks.com/space-war2.htm

and also they are filling up the atmosphere with garbage.
http://www.space.com/news/raining_boosters_000510.html
It's damn lucky no one was killed by the space shuttle or other space
junk but it's probably just a matter of time.

>What I've always liked about the idea of getting out into space is the
>thought of getting away from the nutcases

Same reason I want to run to the mountains.  It's a pipe dream.  You
can't get away except temporarily.    The problems follow.  There is
no escape from social woes, destruction of the environment.  The only
hope is for humans to undergo an internal change before it's too late.

>Far into the future, the Earth will be swallowed by our Sun, and far before
>that we'll need to get off it. Yes, it's so far away, but let's at least
>think about progress.

IMO it's really unlikely the human species will survive long enough
to experience the demise of the sun.  The human species is a young
species, and IMO not doing a very impressive job of living
sustainably.

Nothing lasts forever.

>There are innumerable gorgeous natural wonders on our Earth, but I'd still
>consider just giving it all up. Here, US, if you want to dominate, have the
>world.

You'll give it all up for yourself and everyone else too?
F' that.  Ain't no where to run, Isaac.

Erika
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