Nasa worth it? (thread split)

[Omniyoji]

I think he means that we didn't have computers back then that had specs even remotely close to today's modern standards that it really couldn't be called a computer now. Nowadays you can build the Apollo Guidance Computer they used back then in your basement. And to think, back then this stuff was the top of the line.

Given the operating specs on the thing, sometimes I wonder if those Lunar Landing conspiracy theories actually have something going for them. (not that I believe it)

You're underestimating the power of the human brain and math.

[Stanislaw]

You're underestimating the power of the human brain and math.

That's why I said I don't believe the conspiracy theory. =P

Sorry if I sounded unclear.

[Kaylia]

I think he means that we didn't have computers back then that had specs even remotely close to today's modern standards that it really couldn't be called a computer now. Nowadays you can build the Apollo Guidance Computer they used back then in your basement. And to think, back then this stuff was the top of the line.

Given the operating specs on the thing, sometimes I wonder if those Lunar Landing conspiracy theories actually have something going for them. (not that I believe it)

But would you take your NES or XBOX360 with you to the Moon? Personally, I know which one I would take, especially in an environment with high energy particles flying around.

[Mazmaz]

Can people post more cool science stuff in this thread?

[Callisto]

If I remember correctly, didn't almost all of Earth's rare mineral/ore/metal deposits come from meteorites because all 'heavy' metals went into the core when Earth was formed? So technically speaking we're already doing this, the only difference being it's not up in the sky anymore. It's basically the same principle as business/personal entity claiming ownership over land. That's what countries are, after all.

I think the issue then become where does one draw the line between what's okay and what's not. And that is a very difficult line to draw.

In this particular instance I think it's really straightforward, whoever puts up the cash to go mine stuff in space keeps the booty.

Only sort of related, has anyone else read High Frontier?

[BaneTheBrawler]

nay. I read a book called Leviathan Wakes recently that reminded me of Firefly, though. It's pretty good.

Also, +1 for more cool science stuff.

[Stanislaw]

But would you take your NES or XBOX360 with you to the Moon? Personally, I know which one I would take, especially in an environment with high energy particles flying around.

Forgive me if I sound stupid, but I don't understand the reference. ._.

In this particular instance I think it's really straightforward, whoever puts up the cash to go mine stuff in space keeps the booty.

Personally I think the issue has to do with scale. I mean, let's pretend for a second that Everest was a Gold Mine, but in harvesting said Gold deposits one will have to totally deface Everest and it will no longer become the tallest mountain in the world. People become horrified when large scale objects are destroyed and/or rendered unrecognizable. Not that it's stopped humanity before, of course.

So if asteroid mining ever becomes a reality, be prepared to face some 'space environmentalists' even when those asteroids are really just a hunk of rock that's no different than the ones on Earth and will have no impact whatsoever to life on Earth even when it's gone.

[Greatguardian]

I'm far less concerned about asteroid mining and far more concerned with prime real estate holdings on the Martian frontier.

Property ownership as it's defined in the 20th century isn't fully compatible with interstellar travel and post-computer 21st century civilization. All it would end up being is a mechanism by which the rich get richer and the status quo remains intact despite the fact that said status quo is becoming increasingly unnecessary. Lenin was a hundred years too early, and Stalin was a fuck, but the free market is outdated. As the production and synthesis of goods becomes increasingly easier, we're going to quickly reach the point where we are able to overproduce while underemploying (a point we've already touched on in the US). There's no need to employ a country's entire workforce when one or two people can manage an entire machine-operated factory. In a free market capitalist society, this just means that anyone who isn't already rich or one of the 1-2 people managing these machine factories is pretty much going to be shit outta luck.

[Stanislaw]

I'm far less concerned about asteroid mining and far more concerned with prime real estate holdings on the Martian frontier.

Property ownership as it's defined in the 20th century isn't fully compatible with interstellar travel and post-computer 21st century civilization. All it would end up being is a mechanism by which the rich get richer and the status quo remains intact despite the fact that said status quo is becoming increasingly unnecessary. Lenin was a hundred years too early, and Stalin was a fuck, but the free market is outdated. As the production and synthesis of goods becomes increasingly easier, we're going to quickly reach the point where we are able to overproduce while underemploying (a point we've already touched on in the US). There's no need to employ a country's entire workforce when one or two people can manage an entire machine-operated factory. In a free market capitalist society, this just means that anyone who isn't already rich or one of the 1-2 people managing these machine factories is pretty much going to be shit outta luck.

Unfortunately as a species we don't have a very good track record when it comes to 'for the betterment of all'.

[Greatguardian]

Unfortunately as a species we don't have a very good track record when it comes to 'for the betterment of all'.

Oh, I completely agree. That's why I'm not too concerned with NASA's immediate future. Even if they funded it, we're just not in the right place culturally.

[Stanislaw]

Oh, I completely agree. That's why I'm not too concerned with NASA's immediate future. Even if they funded it, we're just not in the right place culturally.

I suppose one can try to argue that culture change can/will come with the future NASA (and other space agencies) can show us with proper funding. And although as much as I hope that would come true, I somehow doubt that'll happen.

[Greatguardian]

I suppose one can try to argue that culture change can/will come with the future NASA (and other space agencies) can show us with proper funding. And although as much as I hope that would come true, I somehow doubt that'll happen.

Eh, cart before the horse. No matter how much money we throw at it, if people aren't actively trying to make it work from both inside and out then it won't get anywhere. Just look at Canada's fucked up UHC system for an example of what happens when good things are done half-heartedly.

[Correction]

I suppose one can try to argue that culture change can/will come with the future NASA (and other space agencies) can show us with proper funding. And although as much as I hope that would come true, I somehow doubt that'll happen.

Someone call this guy



Are we still not discussing the terrestrial-bound benefits of the breakthroughs NASA generates in the name of sustaining manned space flight? Ask me if NASA is worth it a hundred times and my answer won't change. To me the endgame isn't intergalactic colonization, it's discovering and making the most awesome things the Earth will ever create.

[Kaylia]

Forgive me if I sound stupid, but I don't understand the reference. ._.

It's just that older computer were incredibly tough compared to what we have now. Your NES might have low computational power, it's very unlikely to break in the middle of a trip.

[Rhyis.]

Eh, not really. The deck that you inserted the games into broke pretty often. I went through 2 NES' in the span of a few years.

[hey]

It's just that older computer were incredibly tough compared to what we have now.

Not really...

Comparing the life span of a nes to x360 is retarded. Especially since most x360s die to heat problems, which is entirely a nonissue for any kind of computer when you have a large budget.

[Greatguardian]

Spoiler: show

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi..._3310_blue.jpg

[Rhyis.]

Cell phones were invented because of Star Trek. True story.

[Greatguardian]

So were automated supermarket doors.

Not even kidding.

[Rhyis.]

MRI's too. Trekkie's took over the world.