in little more than 100 years, we went from horses, to cars, to prop planes, to jets, to landing on the moon.
Where could be in another 100 years if we tried? A Mars base is not impossible, just difficult. Humans took a long time to master the “impossible” of ocean travel, then the “impossible” of air travel, I’m sure we can eventually figure out the impossible of interstellar travel. But we have to do it the old fashion way, start with limited capabilities, keep trying and learning, not willing to stop quit, innovation, technological breakthroughs, and it can be. Never sell humans short of what they can achieve.
Just look at science fiction and how much we have already achieved. I expect, if we tried, we could begin interstellar travel the same as science fiction points to - some sort of slowing the body processes to allow for lengthy travel, or maybe, intergenerational ships. There are no limits on us except those we place on ourselves (and the laws of God).
“in little more than 100 years, we went from horses, to cars, to prop planes, to jets, to landing on the moon.”
well it would be remarkable if we don’t slip even further behind over the next 4 years. But we do have to think for the future. We need to
1) have permanent R&D tax credits.
2) restructure the tax code so that it doesn’t punish productive people or reward debt
3) have a national effort to push kids to be the best in math and science. Forget the the debate between private vs public schools or trying to getting the govt to evaluate states, school districts, teachers and curriculum.
Go directly to the kids and parents, reward them for achievement on voluntary standardized tests and they will do what it takes to win.
4) have more prizes like the darpa robot car challenge
5) end the make-work local infrastructure projects that fill up potholes with concrete or building porky bridges to nowhere. Focus on 2 big things: a high speed freight rail system and universal broadband. Ideally wire everything with fiber optics. Look at Japan and South korea.
6) we’ll need more nuke plants. Liberals will have to concede that global warming will no longer be an issue, conservatives want energy independence from OPEC (ANWR and offshore drilling will not shield us from global oil prices!) but in any event we’re going to need more electricity for more tech.
if we can do all that, we will have the foundation for future space exploration.