In reply to OrionWorks's message of Wed, 12 Mar 2008 13:10:40 -0500: Hi, [snip] >Robin sez: > >... > >> I think that there is little point in being in space just for it's own sake. >> The >> only real reason to go into space is to go to other planets. If one doesn't >> have >> the technology to do that, then there isn't much point. > >... > >I've run across this opinion many times in my life. When I was a tad >younger the opinion used to incense me to no end. [snip] I think we have different definitions of space. You mean everything outside the Earth. I mean literally the space between things. IMO there is plenty of reason to got out into your space - those reasons are called stars and planets. That's also where I would like to go (curiosity).
What I meant was that if you really look at your own motivations, I think that's also the only reason you would want to go. Ask your self this question: "If space were totally devoid of anything else other than the Earth and the Sun, would I still want to go?" Well maybe some would, to get a better look at the Sun, but I doubt many would want to live there. IOW I see living in space itself (rather than on a planet or moon) more as a possible necessity than as something desirable...and I think that necessity will eventually be avoidable, though perhaps not in the near future. It depends on just how fast those black ops UFOs are. :) Regards, Robin van Spaandonk The shrub is a plant.
