DAVID CHRISTENSON <LDQT79A@PRODIGY.COM> wrote:
>I'm of divided mind about this question. I subscribe to the ideals of
>space exploration - surely its to the benefit of all peoples to expand
>knowledge and open up our options as a species. But I believe the space
>program in its current incarnation will accomplish those ideals only
>incidentally.
>
>NASA seems to have its roots firmly in the alliance of military,
>politicians and industry that made the Cold War so profitable for the
>economic elite (and which also keeps the Cold War going today, absurdly)
>. It's difficult to see the immediate benefits of NASA space programs,
>except for spinoff improvements to consumer products - and aren't these
>really benefits to industry? For me, it's even more difficult to imagine
>that the players in this scenario - NASA, its contractors, the
>politicians who support it - have much interest in the long-term benefit
>of lower-income folks such as myself.
>
>And I'm concerned that the main thrust of NASA's programs in the long
>term will be exploitive - mining, commercial use of near-space, etc. Yes
>, capitalism is a great motive for exploration. But historically this
>kind of exploration and settlement has been as destructive as it has
>been constructive, wasting opportunities in quests for specific
>resources for immediate markets. (An earthly example: How much more
>productive and sustainable would the Great Plains be if we had studied
>and tended the region's abundant original resources instead of
>"terraforming" them to European standards?)
>
>I wouldn't play this as a NASA vs. welfare issue. I see it as a
>rethinking issue. Approaching space exploration with the worst possible
>motives (military advantage and profit) seems like a terrible way to lay
>the groundwork for our possible future.
>--
>David Christenson - ldqt79a@prodigy.com
>
>"The most merciful thing in the world is the inability of the human mind
>to correlate all its contents." - H.P. Lovecraft
>
>
This archive was generated by hypermail 2b29 : Thu May 25 2000 - 19:06:27 PDT