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From: barb@oliven.UUCP (Barbara Jernigan)
Newsgroups: net.space
Subject: Re: Manned vs. Unmanned
Message-ID: <507@oliven.UUCP>
Date: Wed, 5-Feb-86 13:59:11 EST
Article-I.D.: oliven.507
Posted: Wed Feb  5 13:59:11 1986
Date-Received: Fri, 7-Feb-86 21:51:51 EST
References: <740@k.cs.cmu.edu>
Organization: Olivetti ATC; Cupertino, Ca
Lines: 36


In the manned vs. unmanned debate, a lot of argument has passed back
and forth about feasibility, mobility, etc.  For me, the primary 
reason that robots (at least current technology) could not replace
humans is that they cannot *think*.  By this I mean they have no
powers of free association -- of insight -- wherein true steps in
knowledge (forward and backward -- look at history) may be taken.
True, a robot held camera probably doesn't wiggle as much -- but it
also doesn't have the instantaneous capacity for -- "Hey, look over
there!"  And I've yet to meet an inventive machine.

There are a lot of things that can be bound and measured -- but
there are as many, if not more, elements that are *unconsciously*
measured by humans in the 'simple' matter of existing.  

Machines do what they do, and do it fairly well.  They are no replacement
for humans, however.  Manned space exploration *MUST* continue.  (Just
think how much more we might have discovered if HUMANS had been sent to
Mars -- in terms of impulse, mobility, and serendipity.)  Pictures and
data are nice -- but they aren't nearly as helpful as being there.  And
I want to *be* there -- I want humankind to *be* there.

We dare not put all our eggs in one basket.  Unmanned missions will
continue (I'm not real thrilled about sending humans into the Venusian
and Jupiteran atmospheres -- at least not yet).  But so must manned.
Otherwise we'll be a one-legged man -- getting around all right, but 
not nearly as well as we could.

That's my fifty-cents worth.

Barb

------
You will do foolish things . . .
                           . . . so do them with enthusiasm!
                                                            -- Colette