Colonising Space

[Clodhopper]

spot: I think you are looking too far ahead. While I think your long term goal is a good idea in principle I'd like to see us just get off the planet. I fear your goal of devoting a major part of the World's resources to that end would take a lot longer than 200 years. At which point it's too late.

[spot]

Originally Posted by K.Snyder

Other space programs besides NASA are no different when they spend money on the unexplored at the expense of the explored. It's morally corrupt. When those programs use money on space programs that could otherwise go to feed the hungry how is that different?

It's not about ceasing expenditures for space exploration it's about channeling the money to be as productive as possible. Capitalists are going to spend that money anyway that much is blatantly true. No one would deny their own child food to ensure the prolongation of the human species that don't exist yet so how is it logically accurate to do so with someone elses child?

Again you're highlighting the gap between our positions. What you regard as "morally corrupt" I regard as a moral obligation. Your argument that "no one would deny their own child food to ensure the prolongation of the human species that don't exist yet" strikes me as both untrue and disgraceful.

[K.Snyder]

Originally Posted by Clodhopper

At that point it is arguable that any money spend on anything other than necessities is immoral while others are starving. Forget Space - shut down Hollywood, the music industry, pro sport...Where do you want to draw the line?

That would be true if shutting all of those down is what's innately needed but no one could convince me of that.

You don't have to shut down Hollywood, the music industry, pro sports, etc,..etc,.. All of this is supported by the people. The difference is the bias between those that watch sports and those that cannot afford to watch sports(Or choose which I use sports as an example BTW- Geared up for WC South Africa 2010? I'm ecstatic the money those people will receive, eh? Let's hope the economy makes the right choices with it!).

I propose we tax the rich much more than we do now. It's not about shutting anything down it's about the disbursement of the worlds resources so that everyone's children are fed as opposed to the 300 lb 10 year old with two apples(Why's he need so many apples?).

How anyone can sit with millions of dollars/pounds and not feel obligated to give some of it.

[K.Snyder]

Originally Posted by spot

Again you're highlighting the gap between our positions. What you regard as "morally corrupt" I regard as a moral obligation. Your argument that "no one would deny their own child food to ensure the prolongation of the human species that don't exist yet" strikes me as both untrue and disgraceful.

I believe we're descendants of blue-green algae.

That which has not divided knoweth no pain.

[Clodhopper]

Originally Posted by spot

Again you're highlighting the gap between our positions. What you regard as "morally corrupt" I regard as a moral obligation. Your argument that "no one would deny their own child food to ensure the prolongation of the human species that don't exist yet" strikes me as both untrue and disgraceful.

I think very few people would deny their child food and give the money to the space programme. I could certainly see a case for the billions wasted in eg Hollywood being used for that end instead, though.

[K.Snyder]

Originally Posted by Clodhopper

I think very few people would deny their child food and give the money to the space programme. I could certainly see a case for the billions wasted in eg Hollywood being used for that end instead, though.

I hate movies. They patronize me as if I don't know what's to be expected. Depictions of history, ironically enough, tells alot more than any fictional movie would as defined as such.