Poll: Do you find space exploration that interesting or important?

scorza · 22 Apr 2011 at 22:05

2. I don't see much point in exploring space if we can't sort out how we live together on Earth. Obviously space exploration is important though, though I would caveat that by saying that the manned space missions that we all celebrate are a bit of a red herring - far more value could be gained from less glorified missions.

Mat · 22 Apr 2011 at 22:06

Spacecake! \o/

(I didn't vote for this though as it's not strictly pancake which I would have voted for obv.)

Skillmister · 22 Apr 2011 at 22:15

I voted option #2. Obviously there are priorities but i think space is extremely important.

Spook187 · 22 Apr 2011 at 22:16

1 for me

Van Hellseek · 22 Apr 2011 at 22:20

lol spacecake.

Fix cancer first, THEN lets explore the final front ear.

Gackt · 22 Apr 2011 at 22:21

As much as I loved everything to do with Space, and Space exploration/colonisation, I don't think we are ready to extend our reach to the stars fully yet. There are too many issues that we haven't solved on Earth - we would simply be bringing those problems with us into space, and that's not a good thing.

So, 2.

Maybe once we've got our heads round the very fixable problems of mass-poverty, starvation and perhaps shift our main focus away from consumption, then perhaps we can look further.

That said, I think we should still fund space projects and research, but the majority of funding should be reserved for sorting out more pertinent problems.

Simply put. We're not ready.

Pixel · 22 Apr 2011 at 22:21

Space exploration is of upmost importance and should be one of the highest priorities.

We need to ensure the long-term survival of our species, so in the future we can annoy all the other races out there. I believe inter-galactic trolling should be mankind's primary goal.

meghatronic · 22 Apr 2011 at 22:23

orderoftheflame said:
Without going all Brian Cox gushy... Exploring the universe and finding how we fit into it is massively important imo.

1) Space exploration is of upmost importance and should be one of the highest priorities of the human race

But only because point number two doesn't really fit right. There are still big issues on earth that are important to fix, but I don't see how delaying or focusing efforts away from Space Exploration will help to solve them.

Pretty mch this, good post.

Biohazard · 22 Apr 2011 at 22:25

In a simple world I'd like humanity to be rid of easily solved problems before we blast off to other planets en masse.

However, I realise it isn't that simple either.

As for orderoftheflame, I can see what you are saying but we are taking resource and capital away for other means that could theoretically be used to save lifes here.

Simplistic I know as politics gets in the way, but I'd like to see more work in this direction then we can go outwards on onwards.

Vulcan · 22 Apr 2011 at 22:30

Pixel said:
Space exploration is of upmost importance and should be one of the highest priorities.

If you don't advance the technology here on Earth and fix the current problems you're not going to have a planet for very long.

Monkeynut · 22 Apr 2011 at 22:35

Longbow said:
If you don't advance the technology here on Earth and fix the current problems you're not going to have a planet for very long.

You've got to remember though that the technology developed for space flight will be useful in other applications on Earth. For example, on the International Space Station experiments are undertaken in zero mavity which help increase our understanding of elements. This doesn't have an immediate benefit but will add additional knowledge which can be useful in the future.

Vulcan · 22 Apr 2011 at 22:37

It can indirectly advance Earth. But the money could be better spent.

Monkeynut · 22 Apr 2011 at 22:38

Longbow said:
It can indirectly advance Earth. But the money could be better spent.

Oh I'm not advocating we spend half of the planet's GDP on space exploration or something. But spending nothing on it would be, in my view, a serious error.

orderoftheflame · 22 Apr 2011 at 22:45

Biohazard said:
As for orderoftheflame, I can see what you are saying but we are taking resource and capital away for other means that could theoretically be used to save lifes here.

I'd agree, accept....

What about the billions of pounds spent paying footballers wages? Is that more important? Money spent on TV, films, games. Million dollar mansions or a thousand other frivolities.

Why cut Space exploration out over these things?

I also don't think pouring money into the problems we have on the planet will fix all of them. Other's may think different, but this is just my opinion.

jamesblade · 22 Apr 2011 at 22:45

2/1

I think eventualy we will need to move away from Earth and start to colonise other planets wether they have a natural enviroment for us or they have a man made one.

I'd liken us "human race" to fleas on a dogs body with nothing to realy keep us in check we will overpopulate and continue to suck it dry and eventualy kill it, before or as that happens we will jump off and find a new planet or planets to continue where we left off

Vulcan · 22 Apr 2011 at 22:58

orderoftheflame said:
I also don't think pouring money into the problems we have on the planet will fix all of them. Other's may think different, but this is just my opinion.

So we should stop funding research into the energy problem? Forget about fusion power and launch more satellites instead?

orderoftheflame said:
What about the billions of pounds spent paying footballers wages? Is that more important? Money spent on TV, films, games. Million dollar mansions or a thousand other frivolities.

TV, films and games entertain people, and are a part of our culture. Millions are spent on them, and they get millions back in return. I should also point out space funding isn't being cut over these, because TV/film/games are privately funded, where as space exploration is funded mainly by the state.

bloodiedathame · 22 Apr 2011 at 23:06

It is very important... so that we can get off this planet we have ruined, overrun another one and ruin that too! Win!

Twentyone · 22 Apr 2011 at 23:07

Between 1 and 2.

It's going to take time to develop the technology so delaying it is no good. But by doing so we don't have to stop solving the problems we have on earth.

Biohazard · 22 Apr 2011 at 23:09

orderoftheflame said:
I'd agree, accept....

What about the billions of pounds spent paying footballers wages? Is that more important? Money spent on TV, films, games. Million dollar mansions or a thousand other frivolities.

Why cut Space exploration out over these things?

Yup all pretty valid, I'm not saying cut what we have now in terms of science but do something towards the disparity that you yourself bring some examples of.

We can't get to the point where we have a two tier world, some either starving or still mired with poverty and another half practically leaving it all behind so to speak.

orderoftheflame said:
I also don't think pouring money into the problems we have on the planet will fix all of them. Other's may think different, but this is just my opinion.

Quite probably, but I can tell you it would go a long way. There are other sociopolitical factors and in this frame of mind sovereignty is a problem.

Big things to overcome before we can really stretch out as humanity, not as select fortunate groups of it.

Poll: Do you find space exploration *that* interesting or important?

So, which opinion camp do you fit into?

Space exploration is of upmost importance and should be one of the highest priorities.

Space exploration is very important but there are issues that should possibly take priority.

It should definitely be put on the back burner compared to fixing other issues.

I really could not care less about space travel - seems a waste of time and money.

Spacecake. (lollysander)

Poll: Do you find space exploration that interesting or important?