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Many here see space as a big-government boondoggle. Some have religious objections. A handful believe it is an elaborate and expensive hoax.

Which is really too bad. Because like it or not, our only choices are to go into space or go back to the caves. If civilization endures, we will need the stuff that is up there: limitless energy, abundant natural resources and lots and lots of empty space to do the big, audacious and dangerous engineering projects that space-faring civilizations need to do to prosper. Eventually we will need more elbow room, too. There ae several planets and large moons to chose from.

The alternative is the long, slow stagnation, contraction and eventual death of civilization. Human beings don't do "sustainable"-it's not in out nature and never will be. We long to build, to grow, to excel. We always want new, and we always want more. To thrive we need more space and more stuff. The only place left to get it is Up There. We will go up or we will go down. It is really that simple.

Puts away soapbox...

Absolutely!

There are a few things where I support government involvement, which is the military, protection of our homeland/borders and limited involvement/support in space exploration.

Excellent post BTW!

I'm fascinated with space exploration. Since the beginning of landing two rovers on Mars I've watched those rovers every day - and you can still see the latest movements and activities of the rover Opportunity at this link, still doing research, still taking pictures and sending them back to earth.

And NASA is mere months away from sending a far more sophisticated rover to mars.

But, I seriously doubt that many alive today will ever see 'civilization' becoming space-faring - i.e. establishing colonies on other planets.

The alternative is the long, slow stagnation, contraction and eventual death of civilization. Human beings don't do "sustainable"-it's not in out nature and never will be. We long to build, to grow, to excel. We always want new, and we always want more. To thrive we need more space and more stuff. The only place left to get it is Up There. We will go up or we will go down. It is really that simple.

Well said. Extremely well said...

Human beings don't do "sustainable"-it's not in out nature and never will be. We long to build, to grow, to excel. We always want new, and we always want more. To thrive we need more space and more stuff. The only place left to get it is Up There. We will go up or we will go down. It is really that simple.

No worries, J. The human race will do what it's always done, and will one day own the stars. Like you said, it's in our genes to go bigger, better, farther. Space X is only just the start.