I question how much of that could come about without the risks and expense. My attitude toward space exploration is decidedly jaundiced, but I am not so obtuse as to discard genuine benefits other than those I stated. What, specifically, do we enjoy today as fruits of space exploration what we could not have without it?
That’s a big question. I am not going to press you for an answer or call you names if your thoughts differ. The benefits I’ve already mentioned are good. But we ought to excercise some prudence in weighing whether they are worth the price. No?
Thing is, on the more immediate benefits level, “going off in a different direction” invariably leads to discoveries and benefits that wouldn’t be found, or not as quickly, as sort of sticking with the tried and true does. That’s just how exploration and research into new challenges works.
That’s not as important as preserving our species, but it is worthwhile.
I might add, God told us to go forth. He didn’t mention ever stopping...