I think far too often we get rather carried away with the hype on space. It may be because we have been brought up with sci-fi films and space comics but to be frank I think that the Mars thing is a total and scandalous waste of money that is very needed elsewhere.
People will huff and puff on the wonderful advantages of one day going to Mars which is a pointless thing unless you want to walk about a desert encumbered in a space suit and a field for boredom. Okay we got space blankets and pens that wrote upside down after the moon but in real terms this fanaticism about space is something else.
And again, if it was discovered that maybe there could possibly have been some form of prehistoric life in tiny, microscopic size so what? It does nothing to help the needy and unfortunate millions back home and even in the US itself. Oh, sure there will be waxing lyrically on it but once you get beyond all the theorising and propaganda it is a negative exercise. People cannot walk about and live on Mars like here and it would also be as boring as Hell seeing red everywhere.
No doubt sci-fi lovers will be offended at me challenging the steryotype science attitude to space but wanting to go to a dead planet and do what? As a Glaswegian I have even seen more sense in visiting our old rival, Edinburgh than the vast amounts of money to keep scientists happy and those who follow their every word as a wow factor. I have enjoyed the occasionally space film but it is not based on any reasonable sense of reality and I gave up reading Superman and that stuff when I was a youngster. Boy, oh boy, what a wonderfully expensive dose of escapism. Give me reality every time!
Hi,
quoting you:
"No doubt sci-fi lovers will be offended at me challenging the steryotype science attitude to space..."
Seriously, I don't' see anything wrong with your comments ... they are all good points, and what you are saying is true on many levels -- But what's also true is that, we the USA, has spend countless of money on programs to help people who are poor, people who need a hands up to get on thier feet, etc ... there are charists and churches (I attend church so I know the work we put in) to help people who don't have all that much in this world, and yet, it's still the same as it was in the 60s, when it all began!
However, how nuch is enough? -- I was raised in the deep heart of the South Bronx, and I can tell you right now that there many poor folks that rather get a check from the government then to get up to go to work -- what I am saying here is that is not always black and white!!! One can't just throw money and money at folks endlessly .... people too need to stand up and do their part to get ahead on this world!!
Now, yes, going to Mars in this current era is a bad idea, except for sending robots, etc ... there's lots and lots of issues to discuss before sending anyone to Mars -- one issue is how people would interact with each other on a profeesional, emotional and intimate levels --- so, for now, yes, it's pointless to spend money sending anyhore there -- But sending robots to study the planet is a worhty idea and mission!
Nevertheless, one day, one generation will see a space ship head out toward Mars ... that I believe! .. Because look at the evidence all around us today, in this techo media craze we live in today ... we have nothing like it in the early 90s, etc... Just look how much humanity have done in 100 hundreds .. from horses to cars .... there weren't even tooth brushes til the 20's if my history surf me correctly --
My point is that there is always those small steps, and this is a small step, and it's a good step for now --- when the technology becomes avaiable, which I feel is generations away, then folks can sit down and finanally crunch the numbers ... But til then I just hope you enjoy Mars from a Trainz-point-view! LOL
Thanks for your point of views!!
Ish
Spending the money to revitalize passenger and add HSR sounds wonderful to me! :wave:
(disclaimer, this is a joke. Scotland is a fine country with a rich cultural and industrial history and many, many beautiful mountains.)
