Slashdot Mirror
Moon Mining Gets a Closer Look
happylucky writes "There are many obstacles to creating a space colony on the moon, primarily food, water, and oxygen. Since it is so expensive to bring supplies from the earth, some scientists have suggested that we mine the moon. In an article in the Toronto Star, Dale Boucher suggests the best way to do this would be to develop a mining colony. To that end, the Sudbury-based Northern Center for Advanced Technology has linked Canada's mining industry with some of the top minds on space.Mining the moon was considered earlier this month at the Planetary and Terrestrial Mining Sciences Symposium which attracted some 100 delegates, including experts from the Canadian Space Agency, NASA and the European Space Agency. There are other hurdles of course that need to be figured out. The moon's gravity is one sixth that on Earth. New research, however, may lead to a solution to this problem as well. It may be possible to develop a sticky compound that can be adjusted by UV light to help adhere boots and objects to the floor."
Sorry, dude, but Newton physics has already been proven in space.
The parent is almost right, and the quote from the grandparent is indeed misinformed. Incidentally, the grandparent's sentiment is partly why the governments we have are the way they are: because we have forgotten the true purpose of a government, and it is simply this: provide an institution with the means to enforce arbitration between disputing parties (including both internal and external disputes). That is the sole fundamental purpose of government. Most of the flavors of government are because of differences of opinion on how to make a decision in arbitration, or what type or extent of force to use. However, whenever a government starts acting beyond that capacity, it's not necessarily a bad thing, but it's not really performing the fundamental purpose of a government any longer.
Now, social programs and "state research" are good things, but in my opinion this is not really the role of the government. In fact, I believe that large populations would set up foundations for social and research programs anyway (we have evidence of the private investors over the centuries, including this one, that are more often the driving force behind innovation rather than state agencies - except where that innovation was at some point related to the primary role of government through military activity). I believe that, if the government let the private interests develop and was only involved in mediating disputes, advances could happen much faster than they do when they are burdened by political ramifications of spending tax dollars.
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"There are a dozen opinions on a matter until you know the truth. Then there is only one." - CS Lewis (paraprhase)
But how about mining in Arctica/Antarctica first? There's tons of oil and other natural resources under the ice. I can't believe it's cheaper to mine on the Moon than in Arctica/Antarctica.
Er... no.
You see, I'm not talking about what governments "should" be for. "Should" is really just a way to say "I want" using only one word.
I'm talking about what governments *do*.
Anything which can be done at a profit happens on its own, no government necessary.
Anything else which the society in question wants to do (finds worth doing), it does through a government, whether these actions be enforcing social order, making citizens go to church, exploring space, giving away tax revenues to the company with the most lobbyists, whatever.
In fact, the role of "doing what can't be done at a profit" actually defines government, since a government is that entity in a society which can compel behaviour, and behavioural compulsion is necessary to force people to make investments that do not pay off (i.e., taxes).
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focus on capitalism
When will people learn that some things that most people agree are both beneficial and desirable to society actually COST money, rather than allow people to make it. Taxes are suppose to cover these things. Instead they go into the pockets of the corrupt.
I'm sure I'll get called a commi or at least a socialist for that. *shrug*
These posts express my own personal views, not those of my employer