It's time for mankind to break his Earthly bonds. Commercialise space and let NASA die!

Im sorry, I dont post much at all but I had to chime in here.

I think this idea is, simply put, inept.

To do such a thing and succeed humans would have to stop fighting each other and other species, and we are a long way away from doing that - from becoming non-violent.

We fight on ATS

We fight on our planet

We would fight in space

We would fight on other planets

(We would fight on the friggin space ships)

And not only that, we fight about stupid sh*t more than we fight about sh*t that, logically, 'could' be fought about (like free energy, world hunger, poverty, etc.)

You are nieve if you think we would all hold hands into the far reaches of the universe long enough to even begin such an accomplishment.

We are too sick, too confused, and, possibly, too young.

Originally posted by incrediblelousminds
reply to post by kid_cudi

 

I honestly feel sorry for people like you who apparently have never taken the time to appreciate how awesome THIS PLANET WE ARE ON is. "joyriding in space' requires a ot of finite resources that might be put to better use here in reality, er, on earth.

Also, meditation and or psychedelics will take you further into space than any 'rocket' ever will.

This shouldn't be viewed as a choice between either Space and Earth. If one would stop and think about it this would benefit Earth. Most of the damage to Earth through the raping of natural resources and the polluting of her Atmosphere would slow or even stop. We'd be taking that off Earth and onto the moon or an asteroid etc.

This isn't a simple Black or White argument. Choose this or that.
There is a gray in-between area.

Originally posted by Illustronic
One question, who has done more in space exploration than NASA?

Who is better equipped to do better than NASA?

Who does not use NASA data to discredit NASA?

You got a better system then lets see the data.

that's exactly the problem. NASA has access to everything, we have access to nothing. What's the last big accomplishment that NASA has performed?

If you commercialize space, then everything changes. Our lethargic ways on this planet really need to change. The sky is only the limit if we want it to be.

Originally posted by GaryN
I don't think the advanced races who observe us will let us get much further than the Moon, I mean who in their right minds would want a bunch of murderous, treacherous, perverted sickos running loose in the Universe?
Lab rats is all we are, and maybe they take some of the better examples to use for genetic engineering purposes.
Mostly I think they think we are trailer-trash.

Well, Even trailer trash get out of their local neighborhood once and while to gain cultural experiences and see the sites [WWF] or to make a booze/beer run.

Originally posted by gaurdian2012
reply to post by Kratos40

 

I agree aswell but we do have a warrior conquering colonizing pioneering spirit within us. How long before we no longer heed the warnings and boldly venture out into the cosmos make a name for our species among the stars
(think, no look, no step, no leap outside the box)

I think the first time the colonists see a mile [or 2] wide Alpa-Centuri craft Zipping by one of our tin-can space craft they'll get the message and won't act so warrior-ish.

reply to post by Komodo


I think too many people believe I meant the "Owning" of Space by private citizens or corporations. Far from it!

I meant the commercialization of space exploration, travel and development of off world resources. They would be free to exploit the moon and asteroids etc for profit. Much the same way as coastal fishermen use the oceans now here on Earth.

They don't own the oceans yet are able to glean it's resources.

I agree in part.. The truth is NASA's budget is not the problem however. In 2012 NASA will have 18.7 billion to spend. Hardly noticable against the background of our insane spending. NASA has made very major contributions to science and achieved the greatest feats in human history while not being a major drain of our economic well being. In fact I would speculate that given credit for various medical and technological break throughs that have been developed by or assisted by NASA it has probably been a plus for us.

I think it is important for the government to continue to be involved in space exploration, especially in regards to the moon. However I agree that it is time for civil space flight to take it's place at the table.

Companies should be looking to gather resources from the moon, asteroids and possibly other planets, however I feel it is important for governments to be involved for purposes of security and representation of the public interest.

reply to post by SLAYER69


Nice you say that, because that's pretty much what's happening now. NASA is dieing and private industry is taking over. But be careful what you ask for. I am a lot more comfortable letting the government run space travel at this time than anybody else, because if they F up, they get the blame, not some corporate whore who will run away.

I have always thought this too,, we need to expand out into space. But the issues at hand,, well they keep coming back to capitalist answers.. Who gets the profit,,, so on and so on....
I think at some point in history,,, if we all don't become extinct in the process, Some will stay and be the CareTakers of the Earth
While some will go out and Explore new possibilities for humankind in space. We should have a choice
but obviously we are in Quarantine on this Planet. Maybe due to our ''creators'' ,,, or out ""OverLords" in big business,, doing what the 1% at the top want. Regardless,, we are Slaves , even if you don't feel like you are a slave. We are OWNED,, as Charles Fort said years ago,, and now that a few of us have figured this out. Well,, the next Rebellion will make the TOWER OF BABEL look like a Hay Ride.
So,, Yes,, I would think it nice to get off this planet,, to go explore,,, but
The Big Daddies up in the Sky ,,,, they don't want a bunch of idiots spoiling what they have spent eons making into a system that Works for them,,,, i.e. THE CHURCH,, Religions,, Caste systems and such.
We are too easily controled by our fears,,
so I think Only a real awakening to this fact will set us free,
We must declare Humans Sovereign unto themselves and produce a system for ALL instead of the Elite who will enjoy the spoils of our collective hard work.
It is the Tower of Babel all over again,,, sorry kids,, don't think they are going to think we have grown up enough to play with the Big GUYS yet,, we still are throwing sticks and stones at each other here.

SAD SAD SAD

I want to thank everyone who has participated in the thread thus far both [Pro and Con] It has been a great discussion. Everyone has contributed pretty much on-topic and all have made some good points. I'd like to post the following video for consideration.

reply to post by tothetenthpower


Just to be clear its what SCALED COMPOSITES has done Virgin has yet to do anything but hand out some cash..I just want the credit to go to the people i work with for all our hard work actually making it happen!

Originally posted by randyvs
Nope
I can't agree with this at all Slayer. I don't feel we belong in space, until we can at least take care of our own
planet. We start mess'in up out there, the way we have our own home? I think you of all people should know where i'm coming from. Look at us right now. The planets close to being devestated and everybody is looking for some place to run. Well do you think we deserve an easy way out? I don't. I think we deserve what we get. That's how things will most likely be too.

Well wouldn't it make sense if we gave the Earth a break and took our resource grab and mass production Off Planet?

Originally posted by boondock-saint
Slayer
nice thread
and I would agree with ya.
S&F

I think Richard Branson (Virgin Galactic)
is already involved in a project of this type.
Though right now, I think it's only in the
space travel phase. At $200K a pop for
a seat on "Sir Richard" it makes a nice
visit.

That's a great point. And how many people are they employing? I wonder what those people would be doing if there was no such attempt?

But in reality, who would really want
to stay forever?

I would. I'm sure I'm not alone and if I chose to return I'm sure there would be somebody on Earth who would like to help me return for a fee.

You can't breathe in outer space.
Without a suit, you would freeze to death.
You would also have to stay in a tin can.
The elements make it a less than attractive
permanent living scenario.

All of which are opportunities for more R & D which generates more $$$ to overcome.
All hopefully paid for by the private sector and not tax dollars.

But hey, I guess some can dream can't they?

Yes and many of us do.

Originally posted by SLAYER69
I want to thank everyone who has participated in the thread thus far both [Pro and Con] It has been a great discussion. Everyone has contributed pretty much on-topic and all have made some good points. I'd like to post the following video for consideration.




God, I hate to be pessimistic,,, but looks like we will puff out in a wisp of smoke before we get to type #1

I wish it were different,, but the evidence points to us destroying ourselves first.

If only a type #2 or #3 would have pity on us,, and give us a hand when we truely need it,,
but I am not one to wait for Raptures, or Mahdi's from the sky to save us,,,
so I guess I should kiss our collective butt Goodbye

SAD SAD SAD

edit on 4/10/2011 by EarthCitizen23 because: don't need video again

Originally posted by neo96
reply to post by incrediblelousminds

 

i say anyone who doesnt want to get into space and feed the world natural resource hunger is crazy

think about it no more coal plants no more waste dumps no more damage done to the earth

hell getting into space is a treehuggers dream they finally get to do what they all cant do right now

save the planet

Great point.
I feel far too many over look the benefits to Earth's environment.

reply to post by SLAYER69


Great idea, except for when greedy corporations start destroying each others satellites etc. When they start cutting costs and burning up toxic elements in the atmosphere, when they find the new moon super toxic compound and try and bring it back down to earth and Tepco it.

With money and greed in the way, dealing with all technologies make for potential catastrophe and it's just getting worse as technology advances. So, to commercialize space travel, no. Change the way we as people function in our existence, yes. Time to raise the bar and approach things so we don't have BP / Tepco etc happening until the point we are genetically mutated and have to alter our DNA so we look like grey aliens.

reply to post by EarthCitizen23


All fair and honest points.

But...

As I stated on the bottom of the first page most of that should all melt away as we obtain a higher understanding of ourselves and our place in the Cosmos. We would quickly realize that we are all a part of this planet and if there are advanced mature Aliens out there they cannot stop us from taking the first steps in our own backyard.

What mature person would walk over to a toddler and knock him over while he is attempting his first steps? AND if they do then maybe that needs to be known to the masses that we shouldn't be out there until we get our act together here on Earth first. We wont know until we really try.

Also MAYBE this is exactly what we need? To be shown that we are but a speck and that we are not the end all, be all, of intelligent life. An Ego correction if it were.

reply to post by TheRemedial


Fair enough.

But..

Isn't much of that already happening now? This sounds like another opportunity to start to getting things corrected and do it the right way with stronger regulations complete with stronger fines etc.

Some fear the unknown. I do sometimes. Then I remember my father telling me that "if you never try you'll never know" Simple, I know but true. It's the way life is. We can sit here and fear everything and never try to advance ourselves.

That would be as EarthCitizen23 has already previously stated...

SAD SAD SAD

reply to post by Floydshayvious


You have ruined the vibe that was once here. And you do understand that space is infinite right? So why do you think we need to stop fighting? I feel sorry for people like you who take everything so literal. Grow a set of ***** and let your imagination go. Stop being a weenie and learn to accept that we will be in space one day. Wether you like it or not!


The only one who is sick and confused is you!

Originally posted by Kratos40
We did and we tried, but we were warned not to return. Although we did go and send Apollo 19 and Apollo 20, and returned whatever we could from those derelict ships from the Far Side of the Moon. Just my two cents, and you can disagree with me all you want.

Cheers

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