OT Am I crazy?

OT Am I crazy?

I just watched a TV show about the space station and possible 'terra forming
of Mars'. This was shown as being possible in the next 20 years or less.

Given the cost of both of these I wonder if the same money could have cured
several worldwide diseases and famines.

Maybe at my age (79) I see things differently but it seems that the emphasis
is totally wrong.

Disputes about barge boards and other similar problems seems so
insignificant after this.

Peter R.

Re: OT Am I crazy?


"Peter R" <robimson@nbnet.nb.ca> wrote in message
news:48336246$0$4078$9a566e8b@news.aliant,net ...
> I just watched a TV show about the space station and possible 'terra
forming
> of Mars'. This was shown as being possible in the next 20 years or less.
>
> Given the cost of both of these I wonder if the same money could have
cured
> several worldwide diseases and famines.
>
> Maybe at my age (79) I see things differently but it seems that the
emphasis
> is totally wrong.
>
> Disputes about barge boards and other similar problems seems so
> insignificant after this.
>
> Peter R.
>
>
>



going in space creatrs jobs which pay workers who pay taxes which support
the civil oreder
with the extra you fight famine.
if they just spent the money on disease and famine relief they wouldn't
create jobs for people to get paid for doung to pay taxes to generate money
for famine relief.

Re: OT Am I crazy?

On Tue, 20 May 2008 20:31:53 -0400, "Ray O'Hara"
<mary.palmucci@rcn,com > wrote:

>
>"Peter R" <robimson@nbnet.nb.ca> wrote in message
>news:48336246$0$4078$9a566e8b@news.aliant,net ...
>> I just watched a TV show about the space station and possible 'terra
>forming
>> of Mars'. This was shown as being possible in the next 20 years or less.
>>
>> Given the cost of both of these I wonder if the same money could have
>cured
>> several worldwide diseases and famines.
>>
>> Maybe at my age (79) I see things differently but it seems that the
>emphasis
>> is totally wrong.
>>
>> Disputes about barge boards and other similar problems seems so
>> insignificant after this.
>>
>> Peter R.
>>
>>
>>
>
>
>
>going in space creatrs jobs which pay workers who pay taxes which support
>
Eh, what taxes ? Their money will be going into an off Terra account..

--

Regards, Frank

Re: OT Am I crazy?


"Frank Adam" <fajp@notthis.optushome,com .au> wrote in message
news:l14734t1n4iu90l06r9qqle80bu0f26s16@4ax,com ...
> On Tue, 20 May 2008 20:31:53 -0400, "Ray O'Hara"
> <mary.palmucci@rcn,com > wrote:
>
>>
>>"Peter R" <robimson@nbnet.nb.ca> wrote in message
>>news:48336246$0$4078$9a566e8b@news.aliant,net ...
>>> I just watched a TV show about the space station and possible 'terra
>>forming
>>> of Mars'. This was shown as being possible in the next 20 years or less.
>>>
>>> Given the cost of both of these I wonder if the same money could have
>>cured
>>> several worldwide diseases and famines.
>>>
>>> Maybe at my age (79) I see things differently but it seems that the
>>emphasis
>>> is totally wrong.
>>>
>>> Disputes about barge boards and other similar problems seems so
>>> insignificant after this.
>>>
>>> Peter R.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>
>>
>>
>>going in space creatrs jobs which pay workers who pay taxes which support
>>
> Eh, what taxes ? Their money will be going into an off Terra account..
>
> --
>
> Regards, Frank

And thats why they wont set spending limits in F1 !!!!

AC

Re: OT Am I crazy?


"Peter R" <robimson@nbnet.nb.ca> wrote in message
news:48336246$0$4078$9a566e8b@news.aliant,net ...
>I just watched a TV show about the space station and possible 'terra
>forming of Mars'. This was shown as being possible in the next 20 years or
>less.
>
> Given the cost of both of these I wonder if the same money could have
> cured several worldwide diseases and famines.
>
> Maybe at my age (79) I see things differently but it seems that the
> emphasis is totally wrong.
>
> Disputes about barge boards and other similar problems seems so
> insignificant after this.
>
> Peter R.
>

Hmm, its an easy case on the face of it.

Yes, all that cash could be used for other things.

But, I see it like this:

Thing is, humans must push forwards, its what we do. Famine, disease, and
disaster will always be with us, long after we terra form Mars, and beyond.
If we decide to wait until these things are solved we may never explore the
stars.

I'll be honest, I believe that humans exploring the universe is more
important than famine, disease and disaster.

Look at it this way:
Things for poor humans were much worse before the steam engine was invented.
Say RLS had been told not to spend his money on steam engine research
because half the village had scurvy. Or, say a certain person had been told
to stop messing about with mould?

And where does it stop? You have posted on an F1 news group. What is F1's
excuse then? The only thing it can offer is the opportunity for humans to
test their limits, be it driver, designers, engineers, marketing, sales,
etc. But it won't be curing cancer any time soon. It only serves to explore
limits of human endeavour.

Exploration of the limits is what we do. Be it exploring space, being the
fasted man over 100m, or finding new ways to blow stuff up, its the only
purpose of being alive that I know of; to learn and evolve. And I'm afraid
that those who cant keep up, drop off. Because if one can't in his or her
way push some sort of limit or contribute to that push, then one is simply
not contributing to humanity.

Now, exploring famine, disease and disaster are indeed ways to push the
boundaries, and are just as valid as terra forming Mars. But unless pure
survival is at risk, its only of equal importance.

Pure survival is the only thing that trumps humanities growth, but then its
true to say that in pushing these limits we might be better placed to
survive. But I'm not sure we can survive had we not pushed our limits in the
past and fail to do so in the future.

In a nutshell, I like to believe in the idea that life, specifically humans,
are the part of the universe that is trying to understand its self. So,
prime purpose of being human is to learn and explore.

Do I live up to that ideal? Nope. But I a least deeply respect those that
do.

There, that's what I recon. Hope its at least understandable.

AC

Re: OT Am I crazy?

On Wed, 21 May 2008 01:36:25 +0100, "AC" <xxxx@xxxx.xxx> wrote:

>
>"Peter R" <robimson@nbnet.nb.ca> wrote in message
>news:48336246$0$4078$9a566e8b@news.aliant,net ...
>>I just watched a TV show about the space station and possible 'terra
>>forming of Mars'. This was shown as being possible in the next 20 years or
>>less.
>>
>> Given the cost of both of these I wonder if the same money could have
>> cured several worldwide diseases and famines.
>>
>> Maybe at my age (79) I see things differently but it seems that the
>> emphasis is totally wrong.
>>
>> Disputes about barge boards and other similar problems seems so
>> insignificant after this.
>>
>> Peter R.
>>
>
>Hmm, its an easy case on the face of it.
>
>Yes, all that cash could be used for other things.
>
>But, I see it like this:
>
>Thing is, humans must push forwards, its what we do. Famine, disease, and
>disaster will always be with us, long after we terra form Mars, and beyond.
>If we decide to wait until these things are solved we may never explore the
>stars.
>
>I'll be honest, I believe that humans exploring the universe is more
>important than famine, disease and disaster.
>
>Look at it this way:
>Things for poor humans were much worse before the steam engine was invented.
>Say RLS had been told not to spend his money on steam engine research
>because half the village had scurvy. Or, say a certain person had been told
>to stop messing about with mould?
>
>And where does it stop? You have posted on an F1 news group. What is F1's
>excuse then? The only thing it can offer is the opportunity for humans to
>test their limits, be it driver, designers, engineers, marketing, sales,
>etc. But it won't be curing cancer any time soon. It only serves to explore
>limits of human endeavour.
>
>Exploration of the limits is what we do. Be it exploring space, being the
>fasted man over 100m, or finding new ways to blow stuff up, its the only
>purpose of being alive that I know of; to learn and evolve. And I'm afraid
>that those who cant keep up, drop off. Because if one can't in his or her
>way push some sort of limit or contribute to that push, then one is simply
>not contributing to humanity.
>
>Now, exploring famine, disease and disaster are indeed ways to push the
>boundaries, and are just as valid as terra forming Mars. But unless pure
>survival is at risk, its only of equal importance.
>
>Pure survival is the only thing that trumps humanities growth, but then its
>true to say that in pushing these limits we might be better placed to
>survive. But I'm not sure we can survive had we not pushed our limits in the
>past and fail to do so in the future.
>
>In a nutshell, I like to believe in the idea that life, specifically humans,
>are the part of the universe that is trying to understand its self. So,
>prime purpose of being human is to learn and explore.
>
>Do I live up to that ideal? Nope. But I a least deeply respect those that
>do.
>
>There, that's what I recon. Hope its at least understandable.
>
There is also a little thing called managibility. If God knows how
many people were to live an extra 20-30+ years, by the fixing of
famine and diseases, Earth would become so overpopulated, we'd need a
doosey of a war to cut back on the numbers.
If indeed Mars can be populated, at least there would be somewhere to
put the extra people, both in employment and living.
That's a damn long and uncertain road though. Still, in the long term
and if humanity is to survive, we will have to start moving at one
stage, perhaps even past the boundaries of this galaxy.
Not sure how much time the Sun has left, but when that thing goes
Supernova, there won't be much left of my left arm, so i can't wait to
get out of here and avoid that.. :)

ps for the faint hearted or pedant: No, the Sun won't go supernova.

--

Regards, Frank

Re: OT Am I crazy?


"Frank Adam" <fajp@notthis.optushome,com .au> wrote in message
news:h14734dsk3f5p9l48aonkohr5dj8l6at48@4ax,com ...
> On Wed, 21 May 2008 01:36:25 +0100, "AC" <xxxx@xxxx.xxx> wrote:
>
>>
>>"Peter R" <robimson@nbnet.nb.ca> wrote in message
>>news:48336246$0$4078$9a566e8b@news.aliant,net ...
>>>I just watched a TV show about the space station and possible 'terra
>>>forming of Mars'. This was shown as being possible in the next 20 years
>>>or
>>>less.
>>>
>>> Given the cost of both of these I wonder if the same money could have
>>> cured several worldwide diseases and famines.
>>>
>>> Maybe at my age (79) I see things differently but it seems that the
>>> emphasis is totally wrong.
>>>
>>> Disputes about barge boards and other similar problems seems so
>>> insignificant after this.
>>>
>>> Peter R.
>>>
>>
>>Hmm, its an easy case on the face of it.
>>
>>Yes, all that cash could be used for other things.
>>
>>But, I see it like this:
>>
>>Thing is, humans must push forwards, its what we do. Famine, disease, and
>>disaster will always be with us, long after we terra form Mars, and
>>beyond.
>>If we decide to wait until these things are solved we may never explore
>>the
>>stars.
>>
>>I'll be honest, I believe that humans exploring the universe is more
>>important than famine, disease and disaster.
>>
>>Look at it this way:
>>Things for poor humans were much worse before the steam engine was
>>invented.
>>Say RLS had been told not to spend his money on steam engine research
>>because half the village had scurvy. Or, say a certain person had been
>>told
>>to stop messing about with mould?
>>
>>And where does it stop? You have posted on an F1 news group. What is F1's
>>excuse then? The only thing it can offer is the opportunity for humans to
>>test their limits, be it driver, designers, engineers, marketing, sales,
>>etc. But it won't be curing cancer any time soon. It only serves to
>>explore
>>limits of human endeavour.
>>
>>Exploration of the limits is what we do. Be it exploring space, being the
>>fasted man over 100m, or finding new ways to blow stuff up, its the only
>>purpose of being alive that I know of; to learn and evolve. And I'm afraid
>>that those who cant keep up, drop off. Because if one can't in his or her
>>way push some sort of limit or contribute to that push, then one is simply
>>not contributing to humanity.
>>
>>Now, exploring famine, disease and disaster are indeed ways to push the
>>boundaries, and are just as valid as terra forming Mars. But unless pure
>>survival is at risk, its only of equal importance.
>>
>>Pure survival is the only thing that trumps humanities growth, but then
>>its
>>true to say that in pushing these limits we might be better placed to
>>survive. But I'm not sure we can survive had we not pushed our limits in
>>the
>>past and fail to do so in the future.
>>
>>In a nutshell, I like to believe in the idea that life, specifically
>>humans,
>>are the part of the universe that is trying to understand its self. So,
>>prime purpose of being human is to learn and explore.
>>
>>Do I live up to that ideal? Nope. But I a least deeply respect those that
>>do.
>>
>>There, that's what I recon. Hope its at least understandable.
>>
> There is also a little thing called managibility. If God knows how
> many people were to live an extra 20-30+ years, by the fixing of
> famine and diseases, Earth would become so overpopulated, we'd need a
> doosey of a war to cut back on the numbers.
> If indeed Mars can be populated, at least there would be somewhere to
> put the extra people, both in employment and living.
> That's a damn long and uncertain road though. Still, in the long term
> and if humanity is to survive, we will have to start moving at one
> stage, perhaps even past the boundaries of this galaxy.
> Not sure how much time the Sun has left, but when that thing goes
> Supernova, there won't be much left of my left arm, so i can't wait to
> get out of here and avoid that.. :)
>
> ps for the faint hearted or pedant: No, the Sun won't go supernova.
>
> --
>
> Regards, Frank

I don't do God, but I agree with the rest of your post. Interfering with
nature's natural culling of the weak does cause problems. That includes our
in built talent for war.

But, as I said, acts that may seem merely compassionate do also strengthen
us.

AC

Re: OT Am I crazy?

AC wrote:
>
> Look at it this way:
> Things for poor humans were much worse before the steam engine was
> invented. Say RLS had been told not to spend his money on steam
> engine research because half the village had scurvy.

You are deeply confused - RLS was lighthouses not steam engines. (Come back
to me when you've worked that out...)
--
John Briggs

Re: OT Am I crazy?

On Wed, 21 May 2008 13:09:38 +0100, "John Briggs"
<john.briggs4@ntlworld,com > wrote:

>AC wrote:
>>
>> Look at it this way:
>> Things for poor humans were much worse before the steam engine was
>> invented. Say RLS had been told not to spend his money on steam
>> engine research because half the village had scurvy.
>
>You are deeply confused - RLS was lighthouses not steam engines. (Come back
>to me when you've worked that out...)

Without the L, though.

--

Ian D

Re: OT Am I crazy?

Ian Dalziel wrote:
> On Wed, 21 May 2008 13:09:38 +0100, "John Briggs"
> <john.briggs4@ntlworld,com > wrote:
>
>> AC wrote:
>>>
>>> Look at it this way:
>>> Things for poor humans were much worse before the steam engine was
>>> invented. Say RLS had been told not to spend his money on steam
>>> engine research because half the village had scurvy.
>>
>> You are deeply confused - RLS was lighthouses not steam engines.
>> (Come back to me when you've worked that out...)
>
> Without the L, though.

Which?
--
John Briggs

Re: OT Am I crazy?

On Wed, 21 May 2008 19:07:03 +0100, "John Briggs"
<john.briggs4@ntlworld,com > wrote:

>Ian Dalziel wrote:
>> On Wed, 21 May 2008 13:09:38 +0100, "John Briggs"
>> <john.briggs4@ntlworld,com > wrote:
>>
>>> AC wrote:
>>>>
>>>> Look at it this way:
>>>> Things for poor humans were much worse before the steam engine was
>>>> invented. Say RLS had been told not to spend his money on steam
>>>> engine research because half the village had scurvy.
>>>
>>> You are deeply confused - RLS was lighthouses not steam engines.
>>> (Come back to me when you've worked that out...)
>>
>> Without the L, though.
>
>Which?

Lighthouses - Robert Stevenson the lighthouse designer was Robert
Louis Stevenson's grandfather.

--

Ian D

Re: OT Am I crazy?

Ian Dalziel wrote:
> On Wed, 21 May 2008 19:07:03 +0100, "John Briggs"
> <john.briggs4@ntlworld,com > wrote:
>
>> Ian Dalziel wrote:
>>> On Wed, 21 May 2008 13:09:38 +0100, "John Briggs"
>>> <john.briggs4@ntlworld,com > wrote:
>>>
>>>> AC wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>> Look at it this way:
>>>>> Things for poor humans were much worse before the steam engine was
>>>>> invented. Say RLS had been told not to spend his money on steam
>>>>> engine research because half the village had scurvy.
>>>>
>>>> You are deeply confused - RLS was lighthouses not steam engines.
>>>> (Come back to me when you've worked that out...)
>>>
>>> Without the L, though.
>>
>> Which?
>
> Lighthouses - Robert Stevenson the lighthouse designer was Robert
> Louis Stevenson's grandfather.

RLS was expected to go into the family profession. He wrote at least one
paper on some engineering aspect before switching to law.
--
John Briggs

Re: OT Am I crazy?

On May 20, 7:43 pm, "Peter R" <robim...@nbnet.nb.ca> wrote:
> I just watched a TV show about the space station and possible 'terra forming
> of Mars'. This was shown as being possible in the next 20 years or less.
>
> Given the cost of both of these I wonder if the same money could have cured
> several worldwide diseases and famines.
>
> Maybe at my age (79) I see things differently but it seems that the emphasis
> is totally wrong.
>
> Disputes about barge boards and other similar problems seems so
> insignificant after this.
>
> Peter R.

This extra money would end up in bank accounts of tyrants like Bob
Mugabe. Look at the recent disaster in Myamar/Burma or whatever it is
called. People want to supply aid but the military junta is blocking
the aid. Famine and diseases keep the population from growing even
more exponentially. A PhD writes a journal I read and he said energy
or peak oil will not be the big disaster. He said eventually key
commodities around the world will be totally exhausted.

Terra forming Mars will take longer than 20 years. Why should we go
to Mars? We will just mess up and destroy Mars by overpopulating it
as well.

Re: OT Am I crazy?

Peter R <robimson@nbnet.nb.ca> writes
>I just watched a TV show about the space station and possible 'terra
>forming
>of Mars'. This was shown as being possible in the next 20 years or less.
>
>Given the cost of both of these I wonder if the same money could have
>cured
>several worldwide diseases and famines.
>
Does the world need more mouths to feed?...I was thinking a worldwide
plague might be handy especially if it weeded out the sick, infirm and
old.
Harsh though it may seem the future would be brighter for the survivors
if the worlds population was to shrink substantially from its current
nearly 7 billion (expected to rise to 9 billion in ~20 years) by say 5%
a year for a few years.
--
Peter

Re: OT Am I crazy?

On Wed, 21 May 2008 08:47:29 +0100,while reading "rec.autos.sport.f1",
I'm almost definitely certain I heard "peter
<scoular@blackhole.do-not-spam.me.uk>" say:

>Peter R <robimson@nbnet.nb.ca> writes
>>I just watched a TV show about the space station and possible 'terra
>>forming
>>of Mars'. This was shown as being possible in the next 20 years or less.
>>
>>Given the cost of both of these I wonder if the same money could have
>>cured
>>several worldwide diseases and famines.
>>
>Does the world need more mouths to feed?...I was thinking a worldwide
>plague might be handy especially if it weeded out the sick, infirm and
>old.
>Harsh though it may seem the future would be brighter for the survivors
>if the worlds population was to shrink substantially from its current
>nearly 7 billion (expected to rise to 9 billion in ~20 years) by say 5%
>a year for a few years.

Your post is OT in this newsgroup.
If you re-post in a different newsgroup you may get a significantly
larger response.
--

Erik Vastmasd