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user_21938
07/20/09

In reply to Let's Not Bother With Space
If this article is being serious, then I have to say this is one of the most backward, retarded things I've read on any Gawker media site. Like, this is something I would expect to hear from Michelle Bachman, or John Boehner.

Way to kick an institution of science and exploration when it's down, you ignorant fuck.
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SwissMister promoted this comment Edited by user_21938 at 07/20/09 10:38 PM user_21938 was starred user_21938 was unstarred

randomnessish
07/20/09

In reply to Let's Not Bother With Space
We need progress: not in the Manifest Destiny, lets put a flag on it and call it ours type of thing, but in that the space race was an important factor in jump-starting an era of astounding technological growth. We've lost that, and our scientific progress and prowess have suffered.

Sure, we could use that money for other things. But we need to explore and expand as a nation and a species.
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MissNormaDesmond
07/20/09

@randomnessish: Some of us have different ideas about what exploring and expanding as a nation and a species looks like than others.
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Cheruth
07/20/09

In reply to Let's Not Bother With Space
The way I see it nerds get really excited about space. And when nerds get really excited and begin making plans for space travel they start making all sorts of things that turn out to be really useful here on earth.

Its like scientists masturbate to space and ejaculate microwaves.

Let people do what they love and good things come out of it.
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robrob9
07/20/09

In reply to Let's Not Bother With Space
Memo to Pareene: Mankind will never solve all the problems that need to be solved here on earth. We'll never get to a point where we can say, "Well, now that all that war, hunger, religion and disease shit is taken care of, what say we go to Mars?" Ain't ever gonna happen.

So fuck you, Pareene. Fuck you and your whole lazy, shitty, snarky, self-absorbed, whiny, entitled, do-nothing generation. What do you have to show for your existence on this planet? More realistic first-person shooters? Better coffee? Quicker access to porn?

Space exploration only gave us the greatest achievements in the history of mankind. It gave us untold scientific and technological advances. Space exploration can also unite the world like nothing else can or will. We need more space exploration, not less. We need more ambitious projects, with real astronauts going to real places like the moon and Mars. We need brave men and women doing things that have never been done before.

We need heroes. Not another generation of damned whiners.
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user_21938
07/21/09

@robrob9: Please don't resort to generational insults. It shows a lack of class, and is a really misguided thing to do.
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WackoJacko
07/20/09

In reply to Let's Not Bother With Space
"And you couldnt see the city
On that marbled bowling ball
Or a forest or a highway
Or me here least of all
You couldnt see these cold water restrooms
Or this baggage overload
Westbound and rolling taking refuge in the roads ..." -J. Mitchell
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ChillbearLatrigue
07/20/09

In reply to Let's Not Bother With Space
"We expand or we die." - Octavius (or so I was led to believe from Night at the Museum).
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kolacek
07/20/09

In reply to Let's Not Bother With Space
The minute we stop growing we will wither and die.

It was a colossally dangerous, wasteful and unnecessary act to cross the Atlantic ocean in slow, rickety, rat-infested ships once upon a time. People said it was insane.

Had to be done.

Get over it, yo.

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MissNormaDesmond
07/20/09

@kolacek: You recognize that the position you're espousing is basically that of the Buy N Large Corporation, right? We treat the earth like a big piece of trash, then throw it over our shoulder and move on to the next planet. Only we romanticize it and pretend it's about our dauntless hunger for exploration, instead of our inability to take responsibility for the mess we've made. What a load of crap.
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Spirit Fingers
07/20/09

In reply to Let's Not Bother With Space
I'm wondering more about the copious amounts of man-made "space trash" circling the planet like an asteroid field, when the astronauts lose wrenches, highly flammable tanks, and other items that come hurtling towards earth and only garner subtle warnings from the media like, "Don't be in that cornfield in Idaho, 'cause something the size of a refrigerator could perhaps kill you upon impact as it drops from space, picks up speed, and collides with the earth like some Michael Bay movie."

So yeah, I think that money would be better served here unless they’d like to start going green and not all potential "space incident" like and clean up, you know, orbit.

http://www.popsci.com/node/22487
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Edited by Spirit Fingers at 07/20/09 4:05 PM Spirit Fingers was starred Spirit Fingers was unstarred

snugbug
07/20/09

@Spirit Fingers: How could debris lost near the orbit of the Moon ever GET near the Earth, and furthermore get trapped into the earthian gravitational field to the point where it hurtles downward at dangerous gravitational speed? Not is possible, dear.
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Spirit Fingers
07/20/09

@snugbug: I was referring to Earth, as the moon isn't a planet, it's well, a moon. Earth has the "space litter." Go to the link I attached for more clarity. Or this one:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27479972/
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Perhaps Not
07/21/09

@Spirit Fingers: Did you actually read either article you linked to? First, and I quote, "Known as an Early Ammonia Servicer, the coolant tank was the largest piece of trash ever disposed of by hand from the space station."

And they're STILL not sure any part of it ever made earthfall. I think we're probably safe from plummetting trash.
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Spirit Fingers
07/21/09

@Perhaps Not: I'm not really sure of your point.

Yes, it was the largest piece, not the only piece, if we're really discussing the size and scale of space trash made by astronauts. Other things have been lost due to carelessness. The one I linked to was just one of the more recent. In earlier articles the fear was that they didn't know if it would ever reach Earth, and what would happen if it did, which is why MSNBC updated the story, because people were concerned. Either way, I'd hope our astronauts wouldn't just launch things into orbit that could potentially hit earth. I would think that's kind of a no-brainer. That's the real point here.
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Edited by Spirit Fingers at 07/21/09 2:36 PM Spirit Fingers was starred Spirit Fingers was unstarred

Perhaps Not
07/21/09

@Spirit Fingers: My point is that we almost never have to worry about that - it burns up in the atmosphere. BTW, pardon my bitchiness. Just reread above post and was surprised at how mean it sounded.
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aLostLady
07/20/09

In reply to Let's Not Bother With Space
Anyone ever seen Contact? We have to wait to be invited. Mars will send us the interplanetary transporter instruction manual - that way, we know it's time to space-travel and meet our deceased father on the alien beach.

Of course, when we return, no one will believe us and Matthew McConaughey will be our boyfriend. So, y'know. There's that.
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MissNormaDesmond
07/20/09

@aLostLady: I'm trying to decide which is a bigger disincentive, not being believed or Matthew McConaughey. Tough call.
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The Marble Faun
07/20/09

In reply to Let's Not Bother With Space
My problem with a Martian colony is that the fucks who have ruined this planet will be the ones who get to go to the next. The little people always miss out, whether it's decent paychecks, or interstellar travel.
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PinkPundit
07/20/09

In reply to Let's Not Bother With Space
It's not like we'd shift all the spending to re-employing Michiganders and getting poor people nutritious food at reasonable prices if we shut down NASA. We're just hopelessly corrupt and venal. At least space is fun, unlike B-1 bombers or the mortgage interest tax deduction.
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JacquesPaysan
07/20/09

@PinkPundit: Good work.
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Trixie from Toronto
07/20/09

@PinkPundit: Exactly. Also: computer and software technological advances, CAT scans and MRIs, advances in artificial limbs, cool lasers for heart surgery, home smoke detectors, cordless tools, firefighter breathing systems, not to mention the vast amounts of information the moon walk and other missions have given scientists about Earth, its age, its future, its health, etc. -- it all stemmed from the space program, including the moon walks.

It's not just collecting rocks.
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If_I_Had_a_Poodle
07/20/09

@Trixie from Toronto: yes to all. and getting to watch people be weightless, too
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ChillbearLatrigue
07/20/09

@Trixie from Toronto: With every advance that you named, an industry was spawned or nourished that collectively employ tens of millions. We could stop trying to advance and just make sure everyone has food and medicine and we could become a nation like Cuba. There would be no starvation, but we would all wind up poor by our current standards.
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MissNormaDesmond
07/20/09

@ChillbearLatrigue: Or we could unleash the abilities of millions more people by giving them the chance to be concerned with something more than mere daily survival.
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ChillbearLatrigue
07/20/09

@MissNormaDesmond: Really? You think that if we fired say 20 million people and made sure that no one was hungry, that would be a net positive for society?

The premise here is that the ripple effect of the space program produced all of these industries and jobs. If we didn't have those jobs, the people who are now not working them would probably find other jobs since they are the best and the brightest, but that pushes out the less brilliant minds. The bottom line is that the lower socioeconomic class expands and places a greater burden on what's left of the upper and middle class. I'll take my chances with the money being invested by government as opposed to being given away with no long term impact.
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JacquesPaysan
07/20/09

In reply to Let's Not Bother With Space
Three words: Zero. Gravity. Porn.
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Caius
07/20/09

@SwissMister: It's only sexy until someone gets blown out the airlock.
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If_I_Had_a_Poodle
07/20/09

In reply to Let's Not Bother With Space
we got tang, the computer industry, the microchip, and the economies of most of southern california plus a big chunk of long island, plus the military industrial complex

oh and satellites for gps and cell phones and the intratubz
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HarmonyDorsuo
07/20/09

In reply to Let's Not Bother With Space
For those who don't think the space program produced anything above a boondoggle to the moon, here's a small list of products. For more check out the NASA spinoff page at www.sti.nasa.gov/tto
360 Degree Camera
3-D Synthetic Vision Flight Displays
Advanced Hydrogen Sensors
Advanced Lubricants
Advanced Welding Torch
Aerodynamic Bicycle Wheels
Air Catalysts for Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
Aircraft Collision Avoidance
Aircraft Design Analysis
Airline Wheelchairs
Airliner TV Transmission Via Satellite
AiroCide TiO2 Air Purifier
Anthrax Smoke Detector
Arteriosclerosis Detection
Artificial Heart
Astronaut Plant Bag
Athletic Shoes
Audiometric System for Hearing Assessment
Automated Urinalysis
Automatic Insulin Pump
Automotive Design
BAFCO Linear Actuators
Balance Evaluation System
Biomass Production System for Education
Bioreactor Demonstration System
Bioreactor Human Tissue Growth
Bone Analyzer
Breast Biopsy
Breast Cancer Screening
Bridge Safety Improvements
Cabin Pressure Altitude Monitor and Warning System
Camera on a Chip
Cardiac Pacemaker
Cataract Surgery Tools
Chemical Warfare Hood
Chromosome Analysis
Clean Room Apparel
Clean Water for Homes
Coastal Zone Color Scanner
Compact Blood Diagnostic Equipment
Compact Fire and Rescue Extraction Devices
Composite Forceps
Composite Materials Development - Golf Clubs
Computer Joysticks
Computer-Aided Tomography (CAT Scanner)
Convection Oven
Cool Vest Therapeutic Suits
Cordless Power Tools and Appliances
Corporate Jet Wing Designs
Corrosion Protection Coating
Crop Dusting Improvements
Crop Growing Improvements
DeBakey Heart Pump
Dental Arch Wire
Digital Mammography
Diving Optical Profiler
DMI Remote Sensing Fish-Finding Service
Doppler Radar
Ear Thermometer
Edible Toothpaste
Electric Car
Emission Testing
Emulsified Zero-Valent Iron Remediation
Energy Storage Systems
Engine Coatings
Engine Design
Engine Lubricant
Failsafe Flashlight
Fetal Heart Monitor
Fire Detection Systems
Firefighter Breathing System
Firefighter Radios
Firefighting Equipment
Fireman’s Air Tanks
Fitness Equipment
Flame Detector
Foam-In-Place Seating Technology
Freeze Drying Technologies
Gas Detector
Gasoline Vapor Recovery
Geosynchronous Orbiting
Golf Ball Aerodynamics
GPS Navigation
Helmet Padding
High Temperature Soldering Blocks
High-Pressure Waterstripping
Historical Document Condition Analysis
Home Insulation
Human Tissue Stimulator
Implantable Heart Aid
Improved Aircraft Engines
Inertial Motion-Tracking for Virtual Reality
Infrared Camera
Infrared Thermometer
Insulation
Insulin Pumps
Interactive Computer Training
InTime Agricultural Remote Sensing
Invisible Braces
Kidney Dialysis

Land Mine Removal Device
Laser Angioplasty
Laser Heart Surgery
Laser Wire Stripper
Lead Poison Detection
Lifeshears - Emergency Rescue Cutters
Lightning Protection
Low Vision Enhancement System (LVES)
Lubricant Coating Process
Machine Tool Software
Magnetic Bearing System
Magnetic Liquids
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Medical Gas Analyzer
Methane-Powered Vehicles
Microelectromechanical Systems
Microlasers
Miniature Accelerometers
Modified Carbon Nanotube Materials
Ocean Fluorometer
Ocular Screening
Oil Spill Control
PackBot Tactical Mobile Robot
Palate Surgery Technology
Personal Storm Warning System
Pesticide-Free Mosquito Killing System
Phenotype MicroArray
Photodynamic Therapy
Physical Therapy
Pill Sized Transmitter
Plantronics Wireless Communications Devices
Portable X-Ray Device
Precision Lightning Strike Location System
Programmable Pacemaker
PRO-SAN Non-Toxic Microbicidal Santizer
Prosthesis Material
Protective Clothing
PureSense Water and Air Purification Systems
Quartz Clock
Radiant Barrier Technology
Radiation Hazard Detector
Real-Time Emergency Action Coordination Tool
Remote Controlled Light Switch
Remote Command and Control Appliances
Ribbed Swimsuit
Robotic Arms
Robotic Hands
Satellite Computer Data Transmission
Satellite Computer Image Transmission
Satellite Crop Growth & Monitoring
Satellite Fishing Technology
Satellite Stabilization
Satellite Telephone Signal Transmission
Satellite TV Transmission
School Bus Improvements
Secure Mobile Router System
Self-Locking Fasteners
Self-Righting Life Raft
Ski Boots
Skin Care Product Effectiveness Technology
Smoke Detector Improvements
Smoke Penetrating Forest Fire Analysis
Solar Power Technologies
Solid State High-Power Transmitters
Space Pens
SpiraFlex Resistance Exercise Device
Stadium Roofing Fabric
Standing Wave Reflectometer Wire Analyzer
Studless Winter Tires
Sunglasses Blocking Harmful Rays
Surgical Brain Tumor Probe
Temper Foam Technology
Temperature Pill
Thermal Gloves and Boots
Thermal Protection Insulation
Tire Deflating Devices - MagnumSpike
Tollbooth Air Purification
Ultrasound Scanners
Ultrasound Skin Damage Assesment
VEGGIE - Deployable Vegetable System
Vehicle Brake Improvements
Vehicle Tracking
Velcro
Video Stabilization
Virtual Reality
Vision Screening System
Voice Controlled Wheelchair
Warfighter Accelerated Recovery
Waste Heat Energy Conversion
Waste Water Purification
Water Purification
Weight Saving Composite Materials
Welding Sensor System
Whale Tracking Technologies
Windshear Prediction
WindTracer for Tracking Aircraft Wake Vortices
Wireless Communications
ZipNut
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Calraigh
07/20/09

@HarmonyDorsuo: I had to.
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Natasha VC
07/20/09

In reply to Let's Not Bother With Space
Oh Pareene! You have been bamboozled by the powerful Jupiter lobby! Those Jovian fucks have been pushing the "Ignore Space" message hard. We must be vigilant in our space exploration so we can derail their evil plot to implode and consume our moist planet.

Nuke Jupiter in 2010.
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Foster Kamer
07/20/09

@Natasha VC: Please. The Jupiter lobby is nothing. I say we stick one in Uranus and pull the trigger there instead.

/Utterly shocked this is the first Uranus mention.
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Edited by Foster Kamer at 07/20/09 2:46 PM Foster Kamer was starred Foster Kamer was unstarred

JacquesPaysan
07/20/09

@Natasha VC: That's right. The only gas giant I want in my solar system is Kirstie Alley.
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phlox✔
07/20/09

You are a very dirty boy Foster Kamer.
This is a Klassy Joint. No anal sex double entendres here. No Siree.
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Foster Kamer
07/20/09

@phlox✔: I'm off the clock right now. No need to be up my ass; that's my editor's rimjob. Job. I meant job.
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Edited by Foster Kamer at 07/20/09 3:19 PM Foster Kamer was starred Foster Kamer was unstarred

Aaron Altman
07/20/09

@Natasha VC: Hmmm. Are you a monolith from 2010: The Year We Make Contact? HMMMM?
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