[orison]

There is at least one man in the world who talks sense. Sometimes I find myself wondering, and then this man speaks.

[Anaedilla]

Another DeGrasse moment, basically the same topic.

http://www.wimp.com/worldreacting/

NASA 2012 budget: $17.8 billion
NEA 2012 budget: $0.15 billion

[bactrimtab]

Another DeGrasse moment, basically the same topic.

http://www.wimp.com/worldreacting/

That was......very inspiring.

[Cricequorie]

As usual, Tyson makes a lot of great points. It's a shame that few people share his vision of the benefits of keeping the space program alive.

and I'm watching the current struggle in Europe with countries contributions to ESA with some concern. My business depends on it

[Eromaveabeara]

NASA 2012 budget: $17.8 billion
NEA 2012 budget: $0.15 billion

NEA needs to give their 0.15B to NASA.

[ligaliaCods]

NEA needs to give their 0.15B to NASA.

Yep, so NASA can squander it on vanity missions to the moon/Mars and useless space stations.

[cakaeroryrere]

Yep, so NASA can squander it on vanity missions to the moon/Mars and useless space stations.

NASA is far more likely to save our collective asses by developing a better understanding about the reality we live in, the rules it operates by and developing more capable space craft.

[Rjvpicux]

Yep, so NASA can squander it on vanity missions to the moon/Mars and useless space stations.

This is exactly the kind of ignorance that is impacting our advancement as a species. The sad fact is that most people do not understand exactly how important the ISS is to our future. Granted the level of PR done by NASA / ESA is woefully insufficent, but nevertheless, the ISS is a crucial tool for our collective future.

[Vkowefek]

This is exactly the kind of ignorance that is impacting our advancement as a species. The sad fact is that most people do not understand exactly how important the ISS is to our future. Granted the level of PR done by NASA / ESA is woefully insufficent, but nevertheless, the ISS is a crucial tool for our collective future.

You mean the selective few hundred that the ISS may even never be able to sustain. I'd rather die than live in the ISS.

[STYWOMBORGOSY]

Yep, so NASA can squander it on vanity missions to the moon/Mars and useless space stations.

What an idiot.

[Keendwainge]

You mean the selective few hundred that the ISS may even never be able to sustain. I'd rather die than live in the ISS.

You Sir are a comedy genius.

[thighikergove]

This is exactly the kind of ignorance that is impacting our advancement as a species. The sad fact is that most people do not understand exactly how important the ISS is to our future. Granted the level of PR done by NASA / ESA is woefully insufficent, but nevertheless, the ISS is a crucial tool for our collective future.

That's a load of PR waffle. Just how is it a "crucial tool for our collective future", eh?

NASA's mission should be focused on unmanned space exploration, pure research, and telescope surveying--programs that provide more compelling discoveries about our universe for less tax dollars than politically-directed boondoggles. Let the private sector handle space tourism.

A growing number of scientists share this opinion:

What an idiot.

This is a subject you may want to stay out of.

[thehhhyips]

Swings and roundabouts - some exploration is certainly the province of un-manned missions as the environment and/or logistics would be fatal or extremely dangerous for humans. On the other hand, some experimentation is best done by man as there aren't the mechanisms to do the work.
For me, the ISS is as much an inspriration and symbol of man's place in space as it is a pure research tool. Consider it baby steps on the way to the rest of the solar system, as different investigations are made about the affect micro-gravity has on the human body. It's critical that the many debilitating side affects are countered and/or suitable treatments are developed as otherwise mankind will be stuck until a drive can be developed that can sustain a significant 'G' to replicate earth's gravity, a structure large enough to provide sufficient centrifugal force to act as a 'G' loading or some form of artificial gravity is developed.
The other advantage of unmanned exploration is that the robotics are cheaper to produce, smaller (smaller launch vehicles) and, perhaps most important in our lamentably modern PC world, where risk is unacceptable, they are disposable if something goes wrong.
heck, it's almost 40 years since man last set foot on the Moon - by this stage we should have had a well established base there and be exploring the rest of the Solar System. part of that, I imagine, is that there are numerous hostile countries that would see that as being a threat - kinetic weapons, anyone?

Sparrow, could you please provide the source of that quotation, I'd like to read in in it's entirity?

[Xqjfxmfk]

This is a subject you may want to stay out of.

I understand that you are a professional idiot; a spade is a spade. I can stoop to that level for the sake of entertainment.

If you perhaps want to discuss the benefits of modern space exploration over a pretentious bit of paint splattered on a canvas 3000 years ago: batter up. Iraq did think they had a chance against the UN troops at one point too.

[kanchouska]

Pretty cool. I like listening to that guy.


I think that NASA having a larger budget would be sick. But the industry being a $300billion market is awesome too. Before it was just Russia and USA, but more countries are pushing for space and private industry.
I think that China is going to start their own ISS iirc.

Could easily take funds away from defense and dump it into NASA, and grants for private industry.

[brilkyPlayday]

That's a load of PR waffle. Just how is it a "crucial tool for our collective future", eh?

The ISS is a unique environment for conducting a multitude of experients in microgravity - many of which are essential for furthering our understanding, before we are in a position to send humans further afield. Think of it as a stepping stone to bigger things.

[AdvertisingPo]

What is this, some kind of cruel joke? You tell me Dr. Tyson is on the Daily Show, and then give me a link I can't watch?



--- Post Update ---

I am determined. I have found a work around.

http://www.hulu.com/watch/333778/the...012#s-p1-so-i0 < whole show

http://www.hulu.com/watch/333846/the...degrasse-tyson < just the interview

nvmzjhfksdf

[C7JjVczP]

If you perhaps want to discuss the benefits of modern space exploration over a pretentious bit of paint splattered on a canvas 3000 years ago: batter up. Iraq did think they had a chance against the UN troops at one point too.

Canvas wasn't introduced as a support for painting until about the 15th century in the Netherlands. Imbecile.

Learn to read. The overwhelming majority of space exploration these days is achieved through Earth-based observation and satellites/rovers.

There is no question in the mind of any educated person that the vast output of literature, film, arts, music, and architecture--in effect, the sum of human civilization--has infinitely greater instrumental and intrinsic value than sending a few astronauts to tinker about in a tin can in space or planting a flag on a piece of orbiting rock. One enriches the lives of billions of people, the other benefits no one and is wasteful propaganda held over from the Sputnik era.

So I suggest you stick to watching your inspirational videos courtesy of Dr. Tyson and leave this discussion to those of us who aren't entirely clueless about astronomy or the arts.

The ISS is a unique environment for conducting a multitude of experients in microgravity - many of which are essential for furthering our understanding, before we are in a position to send humans further afield. Think of it as a stepping stone to bigger things.

Most of the ad hoc experiments were devised to justify the enormous costs for the ISS and not for their own sake. We've learned a great deal about human survivability in space, but that's about it. There are literally thousands of far more cost-effective research programs that are denied funding because the lionshare of the pie goes to manned space flights.

[PemiaGefe]

Carl Sagan > Neil DeGrasse Tyson

but yeah i like listening to him aswell.

[astonmartinrx371]

There is no question in the mind of any educated person that the vast output of literature, film, arts, music, and architecture--in effect, the sum of human civilization

And there, folks, is an unbiased opinion. The only people that believe that nonsense are people that have never done any real science or anything of any merit, ever.

Technology defines our species. If the ISS does nothing else besides educates us on the effect of human beings in space, including very scientific things like food rations and waste elimination, it will have done more to ensure prosperity of the human race than any song, dance, or 3 month yachting trip have ever done. (Hint: there are no Latino servants nor country clubs in space).

Carl Sagan > Neil DeGrasse Tyson

You know that Carl Sagan would probably disagree with you here? He personally tried to recruit Tyson to help at the Aricebo Observatory, but Tyson rejected the offer.