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On 07/21/2011 01:26 PM, G. Livick wrote:
<blockquote cite="mid:4E288B7A.5000009@sbcglobal.net" type="cite">
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Stefano,<br>
<br>
Hold on just one dern minute here! Sending vehicles to the moon
is fun science, even if there isn't much to be gained from it
beyond the basic research, and the spin-off technologies. <br>
</blockquote>
<br>
I wouldn't say that. It is just that some very expensive pump
priming is needed before it starts paying off and we are missing
some of the elements needed (principally in the robotics area). <br>
<br>
<blockquote cite="mid:4E288B7A.5000009@sbcglobal.net" type="cite">
Ignoring that we may have more immediate needs for the money spent
on these pursuits, such as finding a cure for idiocy,</blockquote>
<br>
So, you want to replace the human race. :)<br>
<br>
<blockquote cite="mid:4E288B7A.5000009@sbcglobal.net" type="cite">
and addressing the emerging epidemic of low IQ in some nations, </blockquote>
<br>
Huh? Observe the bell curve. Anything below 120 is pretty much not
enough to follow most technology beyond pushing buttons today. <br>
<br>
<blockquote cite="mid:4E288B7A.5000009@sbcglobal.net" type="cite">I,
as a scientist and engineer engaged primarily in the field of fun
science, would be the last to suggest we don't send ships up
there. The objection is limited to sending humans to do a robot's
job. No scientist made the decision to do that.<br>
</blockquote>
<br>
Humans are the most flexible on the spot generally intelligence
sensing/manipulation elements we have right now. On the moon you
could conceivably tele-operate general robots with high manipulation
ability and task-specific bots. But you could not take this
approach if you wanted to exploited NEAs in situ (though you could
send out robot gravity tugs to drag them to a more convenient
location).<br>
<br>
<blockquote cite="mid:4E288B7A.5000009@sbcglobal.net" type="cite"> <br>
In regards to Spain, et al., sending ships out to explore the
oceans, visit new lands, meet exciting new people and then kill
them, was driven by motives much superior to science alone; namely
spices and gold, and other commodities in short supply, such as
Negroes.<br>
</blockquote>
<br>
More importantly almost all infrastructure needed to support human
life was guaranteed to exist at the the other end. <br>
<br>
<blockquote cite="mid:4E288B7A.5000009@sbcglobal.net" type="cite"> <br>
I agree that we may be posed to follow the dinosaurs into
extinction, although not out of a surplus of common sense. If
that gets started, we may need to build a few rockets and fly
ourselves to the moon to live.<br>
</blockquote>
<br>
If we wait until then it will be far too late.<br>
<br>
- samantha<br>
<br>
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