Poll: Do you find space exploration *that* interesting or important?
- Thread starter Nitefly
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I'm sure we've talked about this, you just don't like enough awesome stuff (space, Gladiator, LOTR books, heterosexual intercourse, etc.).
p)
1.5 ish for me. Very important but not at the expense of certain other things.
I don't follow a lot of space news compared to some (actually maybe I do...), but regardless of press interest all of the small steps towards understanding and developing space should be a priority.
I think it's just a case of what you're interested in, there are plenty of things that I don't personally care about but I acknowledge as being important.
p)1.5 ish for me. Very important but not at the expense of certain other things.
I don't follow a lot of space news compared to some (actually maybe I do...), but regardless of press interest all of the small steps towards understanding and developing space should be a priority.
I think it's just a case of what you're interested in, there are plenty of things that I don't personally care about but I acknowledge as being important.
Probably a 1.5 for me too...
I think things with lasting consequences; scientific discovery, new technologies etc are massively important - I think things like fusion, space technologies etc should be much higher up the priority list. Big projects like putting men into space resulted in all sorts of developments that benefited people back on earth, and I'd be surprised if a moon base or just more space probes for other stuff didn't bring similar advancement.
I think things with lasting consequences; scientific discovery, new technologies etc are massively important - I think things like fusion, space technologies etc should be much higher up the priority list. Big projects like putting men into space resulted in all sorts of developments that benefited people back on earth, and I'd be surprised if a moon base or just more space probes for other stuff didn't bring similar advancement.
Associate
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In thousands of years time, when humans have colonised the solar system, it will only be because of the first 'stepping stone' missions that we learned the techniques and developed to technology to do it. So we do need to go live on an asteroid, we do need to colonise the Moon and Mars.
But the question is, do we need to do it now? I think we do need to keep pushing if we're to get out there, but I don't think it's the best idea to throw lots of money and resources at sending 2 or 3 people to a NEO right now - the race can't afford it.
I think the big space ambitions of governments (Moon, NEO, Mars etc.) should be put on hold. Let private enterprise do some catch up. And everyone convenes in about 50 years time.
But the question is, do we need to do it now? I think we do need to keep pushing if we're to get out there, but I don't think it's the best idea to throw lots of money and resources at sending 2 or 3 people to a NEO right now - the race can't afford it.
I think the big space ambitions of governments (Moon, NEO, Mars etc.) should be put on hold. Let private enterprise do some catch up. And everyone convenes in about 50 years time.
Gladiator is an average film and the LOTR books are boring, I don't care what anyone says
Sounds about right
Your post count is creeping up by the way... spending to much time on here it seems!
This roughly echoes my own opinion.
Still, I think we are going to be the minority by the looks of things.
I think you need to clarify the choices then.
Are we talking in pure importance or in fiscal terms?
I'm #1 in terms of importance: it is to me, one of the most important things humanity should be striving for in the long-term.
However, I'm much more #2/#3 in terms of fiscal realism. I agree entirely that private enterprise needs to evolve and take over. However, that doesn't change my recognition of it being of absolute importance for the longevity of the species.
Are we talking in pure importance or in fiscal terms?
I'm #1 in terms of importance: it is to me, one of the most important things humanity should be striving for in the long-term.
However, I'm much more #2/#3 in terms of fiscal realism. I agree entirely that private enterprise needs to evolve and take over. However, that doesn't change my recognition of it being of absolute importance for the longevity of the species.
Let's call it "revision" and "there's LOADS to do at home", rather than procrastination and laziness...please?
Also, back OT, almost precisely what Nix said.
With the edited options I'd go for 2. I still think the science budget cuts are a shame, but I'm glad I don't have to balance the books.
1.5
There is basically nothing else to do except explore and discover. Personal financial gain is irrelevant to the survival and betterment of our species.
I would have loved to go for 1 but at the moment there are many things standing in the way of humanity focusing on exploration for exploration's sake.
There is basically nothing else to do except explore and discover. Personal financial gain is irrelevant to the survival and betterment of our species.
I would have loved to go for 1 but at the moment there are many things standing in the way of humanity focusing on exploration for exploration's sake.
With the 50th anniversary of the first man in space just gone, I'd go with option 1.
In those 50 years how much progress have we made in manned space exploration...very little. And if you think relatively to the progression of everything else it's almost none at all. How much progress will be made in the next 50 years? I guess we won't know but in my opinion, space (or other parts of the solar system) will be the future of mankind and so surely that should be quite high up on the priority list.
In those 50 years how much progress have we made in manned space exploration...very little. And if you think relatively to the progression of everything else it's almost none at all. How much progress will be made in the next 50 years? I guess we won't know but in my opinion, space (or other parts of the solar system) will be the future of mankind and so surely that should be quite high up on the priority list.
Important and Interesting, Love space and anything to do with NASA, I think the key is keeping things interesting, exploring new things, finding ways to do things better, safer, reusable and try to reduce the cost as to see it go because of that would be a sad day 
So much out there that we don't know about.
So much out there that we don't know about.2.
I'm not sure how people can say 1?
Putting space exploration a priority over...
The health service.
Medical research.
Energy research (fusion etc).
Conservation of the planet.
I think the above is more important that space exploration at the moment. Remember we've only been flying air planes for just over 100 years, and been travelling into space for 50 years. Considering we've been on the planet for around 150,000 years, we are still a very young species, and we are only just starting out with space exploration. No need to rush.
We need more space funding, but it shouldn't have priority over everything. If it did, I think it might actually be counter productive, considering the vast sums of money it takes to get into space. One less space flight for example could save £200m, think of what that money could do on other projects.
Rubbish.
I'm not sure how people can say 1?
Putting space exploration a priority over...
The health service.
Medical research.
Energy research (fusion etc).
Conservation of the planet.
I think the above is more important that space exploration at the moment. Remember we've only been flying air planes for just over 100 years, and been travelling into space for 50 years. Considering we've been on the planet for around 150,000 years, we are still a very young species, and we are only just starting out with space exploration. No need to rush.
We need more space funding, but it shouldn't have priority over everything. If it did, I think it might actually be counter productive, considering the vast sums of money it takes to get into space. One less space flight for example could save £200m, think of what that money could do on other projects.
Rubbish.
Soldato
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Very definite 1 here
it's not just a shame it's immensely short sighted.
at least NASA's budgets been increased, tho sadly only by $6 Billion over the next 5 years, & to put that into context, they get $19 Billion a year, compared to the US DoD's budget, which is an eye watering $700+ Billion per year...
as for the op, i'll go with a 1. space exploration, & the research needed to make it viable has implications we can't even begin to guess at.
Soldato
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Easily number 1 of course. The expansion of the human race is very important as is exploration, if we all end up killing outselves here at least some people will go on. Also having more space for humans to exist is needed and so on with a million other arguments that mean we should go into space.........
Also the technology gained from this is used today on a daily basis, so OP you do infact reep the benefits of space travel and it does effect you day to day.
I think the biggest key points from it would be energy efficiency. If you can keep 'x' amount of people in space alive for years and years with tiny recources that will benefit everyone surely, as there is more people now and less recources, so efficiency is key and can be gained from investing heavly in space tech.
Also the technology gained from this is used today on a daily basis, so OP you do infact reep the benefits of space travel and it does effect you day to day.
I think the biggest key points from it would be energy efficiency. If you can keep 'x' amount of people in space alive for years and years with tiny recources that will benefit everyone surely, as there is more people now and less recources, so efficiency is key and can be gained from investing heavly in space tech.