Why We Need to Expand into Space

Zentropa writes "Why do humans need to explore and colonize space? To save the planet and our species, argues an opinion piece in Cosmos, an Aussie science magazine. It makes some good points from an angle you may not have previously considered; for example, it's in the universe's best interest to keep us around. We make things fun. 'So what if humans pass into history? It's not just a tragedy for us, but also one for nature. Without us, there is no one to witness its infinite beauty; no one to marvel at a sunset, revel in a view, or thrill to the breaking of a wave on a beach. As the late astronomer and author Carl Sagan once said, "we are a way for the universe to know itself". But we also deserve to continue because we have created things greater than ourselves. Not only scientific and engineering knowledge, valuable as this is -- we have also created new and beautiful ways to see the world through art, music, literature and performance.'"

Comments

Re:go ahead and -1 offtopic

[untaken_name]

Really? You mean the people too lazy to get a fucking job are going to organize and revolt? Not likely. "Take care of the poor", huh? All you're doing is turning middle class people IN TO poor people through taxation...to pay for lazy assholes. Yes, yes, I'm sure one or two of the recipients deserve what they're getting. Have you ever worked with the homeless? I have. Have you ever worked in a soup kitchen? I have. Have you ever been abused by the very people you're trying to feed? Yes, that's right. Saw it coming, didn't you? I have. The world does not owe you anything, and *I* do not owe you anything. I still choose to give of my own free will, as MANY Americans do. I still volunteer, even though I don't have to, even though I am heavily taxed to support inefficient government programs that do NOT 'take care' of anyone. (OK, OK, maybe one or two people.) Maybe if Social Security were not a bankrupt shell game, if welfare were half as efficient as most non-profits, if more rigorous controls were instituted, if efficiency were possible, if all that were true (yes, I used 'were' on purpose, because I don't belive it *is* possible) then maybe I'd support that crap. However, regardless of what you may believe, America has usually been among the best places in the world to be 'poor'. 'Poor' people in America usually have cars and televisions and places to live. Some 'poor' people have multiple cars. Many have cellular phones. Most have running water and electricity. We're a bunch of spoiled assholes in this country who believe that 'someone' owes them something. Who it is that owes, what they owe, and precisely WHY it is owed, well what does that matter? Someone OWES ME DAMMIT PAY UP NOW.