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From: mike@peregrine.UUCP (Mike Wexler)
Newsgroups: net.space
Subject: Re: will space save us?
Message-ID: <255@peregrine.UUCP>
Date: Fri, 7-Mar-86 16:36:47 EST
Article-I.D.: peregrin.255
Posted: Fri Mar  7 16:36:47 1986
Date-Received: Mon, 10-Mar-86 08:35:53 EST
References: <8602282233.AA04465@s1-b.arpa> <525@oliven.UUCP>
Reply-To: mike@peregrine.UUCP (Mike Wexler)
Organization: Peregrine Systems, Irvine, Ca
Lines: 35

In article <525@oliven.UUCP> barb@oliven.UUCP (Barbara Jernigan) writes:
>A lot of flaming has been going back and forth whether or not colonization
>of space means survival of the species -- and using/opposing that argument to 
>justify the manned space program.  Both sides have their point:  eggs are
>safer when they're not in one basket -- long range thinking on the 100 million-
>year scale is a tad silly.
>
>Well, although I agree with the need to fly from the nest of Mother Earth,
>my *REAL* reason for wanting to explore space is (compulsive) CURIOSITY.  That 
>there are financial and species-preservational gains is also nice -- but, it's 
>icing on the (interstellar) cake.
A point I think you are missing here is that this curiousity is what has led us
to discover and invent new things in the past.  That without this curiousity
financial and species-preservational gains are impossible.   Without this
curiousity we would never discover new resources and ways to use existing 
resources more efficiently.

>Those that have heard the Call, understand (though we try to cloak the
>DESIRE in the respectable clothing of justifications).  Those that have not
>label us irresponsible and crazy (and perhaps they're right).
>
>It *is* a cult -- a religion of wanting to KNOW, driving us to push the limits 
>of our experience lest life become too mundane.
>
>Continue to justify -- we need the funding, and funding in this bureaucratic
>world must have "reason."  But know, in our heart-of-hearts, the Truth -- 
>the need to explore new frontiers is part of Who and What we are.
I agree that the reason people explore is not for profit/race preservation,
but those are side benefits that are accomplished only when exploration is
done.
-- 
Mike Wexler
(trwrb|scgvaxd)!felix!peregrine!mike 		(714)855-3923
All of the preceding opinions are solely those of the author and do not
represent the views of any other being, sentient or abstract.