General Discussion

calimary

(90,409 posts)

35. Seems to me that may be the only way to ensure the survival of humans.

Fri Jul 4, 2014, 10:36 PM

Jul 2014

It may become necessary to leave the planet, particularly if it becomes too poisoned to sustain life reasonably. I think as a species it's something we kinda need to do. We have this explorers' bone or gene or some such imbedded spark that makes us curious about the environment around us - how we fit into it and tame it and manage it (or mismanage it as the case may be).

It's not just romanticism. At present, this is all we've got. This Planet Earth. And I'm not convinced we're doing what's best for its longterm survival. We may need to establish colonies on other worlds. The moon? Mars? One of Jupiter's or Saturn's moons? Some extraordinarily large asteroid? Some space station orbiting - wherever, Earth, Mars, something, just letting my mind wander here. I think it's something we are going to have to do some day.

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I just watched a discussion on C-Span about Mars [View all] tavernier Jul 2014 OP

you want "mankind to survive" that means fixing earth not wasting money going to mars nt msongs Jul 2014 #1

And if the science to get us to Mars helps solve the Earth problems? longship Jul 2014 #8

It isn't clear to me at all that sending humans to mars is "good science". Warren Stupidity Jul 2014 #10

Well, we wouldn't be riding wild horses to get there. longship Jul 2014 #14

yes sure there could be incidental benefits. As there are right now with nasa's unmanned exploration Warren Stupidity Jul 2014 #34

Hard to tell where we'd be without Sputnik. longship Jul 2014 #42

This message was self-deleted by its author Warren DeMontague Jul 2014 #26

I'm all for exploring our solar system. Why send humans? Warren Stupidity Jul 2014 #32

Seems to me that may be the only way to ensure the survival of humans. calimary Jul 2014 #35

It makes me kind of wonder about a science fiction alternative history. Jamastiene Jul 2014 #40

I'm one of those who believes that - in ALL the universe, so big, so vast, so greatly UN-explored calimary Jul 2014 #49

You think regular Joes would be allowed to leave here? Bwahaha! Yeah, spaceships like subway trains. WinkyDink Jul 2014 #44

Think of how tragic it would be to foul our nest and then go foul the nests of others arcane1 Jul 2014 #52

How do you think an airless, waterless place without soil, getting far less solar radiation muriel_volestrangler Jul 2014 #55

the fall back is "well sure its a waste of money but 'freeze dried food'". nt. Warren Stupidity Jul 2014 #67

This message was self-deleted by its author Warren DeMontague Jul 2014 #37

Now THAT is a very compelling point, Warren! calimary Jul 2014 #61

Agree workinclasszero Jul 2014 #65

Death Valley is a lush garden compared to mars. Warren Stupidity Jul 2014 #66

This message was self-deleted by its author Warren DeMontague Jul 2014 #84

Well wake me up 900 years from now and let me know. Warren Stupidity Jul 2014 #85

This message was self-deleted by its author Warren DeMontague Jul 2014 #86

I have a problem with "we should spend a shit ton of money 'cause in a thousand years..." Warren Stupidity Jul 2014 #87

This message was self-deleted by its author Warren DeMontague Jul 2014 #89

estimates are between 6 and 500 billion dollars per trip. Warren Stupidity Jul 2014 #90

Not if Earth is hit by Shankapotomus Jul 2014 #11

"The reason non-avian dinosaurs are extinct is because they didn't have a space program." longship Jul 2014 #17

This message was self-deleted by its author Warren DeMontague Jul 2014 #28

Throw in ability to redirect said impactors exboyfil Jul 2014 #93

I would want to see biosphere ships Shankapotomus Jul 2014 #94

Wrong SoLeftIAmRight Jul 2014 #38

This +a googol arcane1 Jul 2014 #51

Thank you I totall agree /nt workinclasszero Jul 2014 #64

I think most do care about the future even when we're not in it. randome Jul 2014 #2

nothing average about your post OR being a nurse! reddread Jul 2014 #3

makes me think of this quote by Robert Browning.... IcyPeas Jul 2014 #4

If the survival of mankind is the goal, Mars isnt the best place to attempt that goal. hatrack Jul 2014 #5

Well put, but that's not my point. tavernier Jul 2014 #6

At first, only the rich will be allowed to migrate to Mars. Jamastiene Jul 2014 #41

The only thing that would make Mars preferable to Earth for the rich would be a revolution muriel_volestrangler Jul 2014 #57

NO NO NO SoLeftIAmRight Jul 2014 #39

This message was self-deleted by its author Warren DeMontague Jul 2014 #48

Why waist money going to mars. Why waist it going to the moon. When you think about it........ wandy Jul 2014 #7

Thanks! Didn't think of that. tavernier Jul 2014 #12

Why some strive for progress and the preservation of human kind while others....... wandy Jul 2014 #23

We can send 50 really smart well equipped robots to mars for the price of one human. Warren Stupidity Jul 2014 #9

Forgive the stupid wording. tavernier Jul 2014 #16

Anything we do will have to start with a few really smart robots........ wandy Jul 2014 #21

No kidding, I'm still waiting for all the promises the ISS was supposed to bring us. n/t arcane1 Jul 2014 #54

I have degrees in Geology. Maedhros Jul 2014 #56

And what is it exactly that you could not Warren Stupidity Jul 2014 #63

I gather you have never mapped formations in the field. Maedhros Jul 2014 #71

and you think that it is impossible for robotics to provide equal or superior range of vision Warren Stupidity Jul 2014 #72

Well, I have engaged in field mapping, you have not. Maedhros Jul 2014 #73

So surgeons are performing remote presence surgery, but geology is "just too complicated". Warren Stupidity Jul 2014 #74

I would not presume to make declarative statements about the practice of surgery, Maedhros Jul 2014 #75

right, cause this is a serious academic forum rather than an anonymous internets bullshit session. Warren Stupidity Jul 2014 #88

I just don't understand why you feel so compelled to disregard my expertise on this matter. Maedhros Jul 2014 #91

There needs to be a balance of working to save our only home in the Universe and Uncle Joe Jul 2014 #13

Carl said it better than I ever could. tavernier Jul 2014 #18

I believe Carl said it better than most of us could. Uncle Joe Jul 2014 #19

THIS!!!!!!!!!^^^^^^^^^^^ ALL OF THE ABOVE. Anansi1171 Jul 2014 #36

Robotic explorers are far more cost effective Motown_Johnny Jul 2014 #15

There are quite a few scientists who disagree with that. longship Jul 2014 #20

Part of the discussion centered on your point: tavernier Jul 2014 #24

Well, it could, but it would take many robotic missions. longship Jul 2014 #29

This message was self-deleted by its author Warren DeMontague Jul 2014 #30

It's not like we would waste money edhopper Jul 2014 #22

This message was self-deleted by its author Warren DeMontague Jul 2014 #27

This message was self-deleted by its author Warren DeMontague Jul 2014 #25

You mean the 99% left behind? WinkyDink Jul 2014 #45

This message was self-deleted by its author Warren DeMontague Jul 2014 #46

Look, PAL, this ain't about religion, and I never implied such. Tell me: Who do you WinkyDink Jul 2014 #76

This message was self-deleted by its author Warren DeMontague Jul 2014 #79

While it could prove to be an interesting exercise... Oakenshield Jul 2014 #31

Thank you all for the input! tavernier Jul 2014 #33

A really great thread and a tremendous, self-effacing post. longship Jul 2014 #58

Aw shucks tavernier Jul 2014 #60

That IS what the 1% are frantically accumulating wealth for: to escape. WinkyDink Jul 2014 #43

This message was self-deleted by its author Warren DeMontague Jul 2014 #47

I can non-sequitur with the worst of'em. Same as Saddam's having WMD's, right? WinkyDink Jul 2014 #78

This message was self-deleted by its author Warren DeMontague Jul 2014 #81

Really? Was John Glenn part of the 1%? longship Jul 2014 #59

TRY not to condescend to someone who actually would wave to Echo I; WinkyDink Jul 2014 #77

This message was self-deleted by its author Warren DeMontague Jul 2014 #82

I have always dreamed of humans exploring Mars. RebelOne Jul 2014 #50

Some people only want the "right part" of humanity to survive Warpy Jul 2014 #53

Suppose, ludicrous as it is, "Mars" is our survival strategy. Warren Stupidity Jul 2014 #68

All species have a limited period of existence Warpy Jul 2014 #70

This message was self-deleted by its author Warren DeMontague Jul 2014 #83

Much cheaper to live in spacesuits and sealed, pressurized domes right here on Earth. Orsino Jul 2014 #62

My best friend has one semester left for nursing Marrah_G Jul 2014 #69

I would prefer to live in space BlindTiresias Jul 2014 #80

We could always render this planet much less inhabitable and save the trip. Oh wait! Never mind!! retread Jul 2014 #92