RE: Should we invest in space exploration while millions of people die of hunger?
We all see things differently. Honestly if we look at this question, and answer it with an uneducated mind, feeding the world with the intended fund to explore the space would be our resolution. Whereas, it's beyond ordinary sympathy for people's basic necessities.
Besides, NASA is not the reason people are going hungry. It seems we are not looking closely at our various political system. The corruption, mismanagement and misappropriation of fund, diversion of public fund into private projects and so on should be the major concern.
Space exploration is a project that is embarked on to save the world. We are all cheering about the improvement in our technologies. We all benefit from it and all these cannot be achieved without going an extra mile. There are many natural resources in the màrs that is yet to be discovered. We are not going there to relax or have fun. Its all for the good of the people. Sooner or later this planet will run out of some basic things for survival. Is that when we will start running helter skelter for a way to survive? It is not a news that environmental degradation is already an issue. In few years the case will be worse. Which way out? Let's plan ahead. I'm not saying it is good for people to die of hunger but the question is ; Is it the fund dedicated for space exploration that the hungry people need to survive? Affirmatively No. Please don't let's mix things up. These are two different entities.
This is the fact : No one can halt the journey of intellectual discoveries, so please let's keep the drama out of the question and think as reasonable people.
It is as if you are already giving up our planet. Like a place that can be plundered and then neglected. But plundered and exhausted territory can very well be restored, renatured and made alive. People have every ability to do so. But if we spread a pessimism and think that our salvation is to be found in interstellar journeys and the resources of foreign planets, then we only want to care reluctantly about the boring old earth. The reason for the space travel, is from my point of view not an end-time view, but human curiosity and adventure desire. The never standing still human explorer spirit, who dares to venture into the vastness of space to see, to recognize and to marvel.
It is less urgent from my point of view that outside terrestrial resources can be brought to earth to an extent that is sufficient to solve ecological problems. Earthly projects seem far more promising to me, such as the greening of a previous desert, the Chinese Loess Plateau lead by a guy named John D. Liu. To make devastated landscapes arable again by permaculture methods and an active participation of the local inhabitants an as important task as the exploration of the universe.
The knowledge of modern physics and astronomy could work hand in hand with the knowledge of microbiology and other faculties, such is partly tried and propagated by committed scientists. It is, as always, a long way to such a form of cooperation and we could all feel called upon to call on our strengths and competences in interaction with each other.
So what do you do best? What are the consequences of the positive insights gained in your life? Where do you find inspiration and fulfillment?
Which projects do you personally fund and support? Is there anything you would like to recommend as something worthwhile to pay attention to?