Blog

Why don't you just burn my money

September 03, 2006

When I was 9 years old NASA was the coolest thing ever. So in a way it's extra-awful to see how NASA sucks now that I'm an adult--- the double-insult of having my taxes wasted and my childhood wonder crushed out.

10 reasons why manned space flight is retarded

Manned space flight puts human lives at unnecessary risk
Manned space flight can tolerate no mistakes
Engineering mistake-free manned space flight is at least 10 times more expensive than equivalent robotic space flight
So on a given budget we could be achieving at least 10 times more with robots
The lessons we learn from engineering robotics translate to a huge spectrum of other applications on earth
The lessons we learn from engineering manned space flight teach us nothing except how to keep fragile pink water bags alive in a radiation vaccuum
We need to develop better robotics anyway if we ever want smart cars, smart houses, smart planes, smart trains, smart stores, smart cities, smart phones, smart money, etc.
Running a zero-mistake project takes much longer than a quick-and-dirty project
Having everyone scared of taking any risk squelches innovation and creativity at NASA
Sleek futuristic-looking space vehicles containing robots are more neat-o than metal cylinders containing people named "Neil"

Posted by rus at 11:46 AM

Comments

True.

p.s. Finally a true identity! "fragile pink waterbag" AND shrinking at that!!

Posted by: Auntie S at September 4, 2006 04:29 AM

But NASA gave us the TempurPedic sleep system, don't forget that!

Posted by: Theresa at September 4, 2006 10:35 AM

Yes, and also the ball-point pen. But what have they done for us LATELY?

Posted by: Rus at September 4, 2006 08:30 PM

1. We've got more humans than we know what to do with. Actually, we know what to do with some of them but we aren't allowed to do it by the collective.

2. Tolerate mistakes? We celebrate them. Have you seen Apollo 13? I'm sure you'll cry.

3. It depends on whether you think it is more important to explore, or get the flip off of this planet before we turn it toxic.

4. Send the robots to fight and save money there. I need get the flip off of the planet (see 3)

5. I'm pretty sure you could learn the same lessons with fighting robots in Iraq.

6. See 3

7. I'm telling you, fighting robots. You get to make way more anyway, and when they blow up you make even more.

8. We just need to lower the quality bar. I'm telling you, we've got billions of people to spare and the technology to make more.

9. See 8

10. This is a good point. But imagine them with guns bringing democracy and McDonalds to oppresive civilizations all over the earth!

Posted by: Chris Morace at September 13, 2006 09:14 AM

Wow, okay, good point. I didn't think about Robotic Overlords Of Democracy. (And thanks for testing my comments feature, it does work!)

Posted by: Rus at September 13, 2006 08:20 PM