Hey! Now we're wasting money blowing up comets!!

by **crzydmnd72** » Fri 01 Jul 2005, 20:29:10

Amazing...

http://news.yahoo.com/fc/science/astronomy_and_space

by **Ludi** » Fri 01 Jul 2005, 20:48:59

Better than wasting it blowing up people..

Oh wait, we're doing that too....

by **killJOY** » Fri 01 Jul 2005, 20:49:47

Just so a bunch of scientists can go, "COOL."

by **Omnitir** » Fri 01 Jul 2005, 22:18:50

The Deep Impact project is amazing. For the first time scientists will be able to see firsthand the chemical makeup of a comet.

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('killJOY', 'J')ust so a bunch of scientists can go, "COOL."

by **dub_scratch** » Fri 01 Jul 2005, 23:22:23

This and many other of the science projects done by our jerk-off agency NASA is much to about nothing.

If we as a society would have been taking oil depletion more seriously, perhaps these types of projects would be more focused on the prospects of developing some new form of energy to get us beyond oil. Who knows, but if we would have been listening to Bucky Fuller and Hubbert, and if we looked bravely into the eyes of societal death at the end of oil, then we might have been able to lick oil depletion with scientific and engineering breakthroughs by now.

But since we would rather ignore oil depletion, our publicly and privately funded research has been directed elsewhere. Instead of striving to new energy, we took the easy route by burying our heads in the sand while living it up at the oil party. Ignorance is bliss, especially while doing things like blowing holes in comets and saying "oh how COOL."

by **Antimatter** » Sat 02 Jul 2005, 02:11:50

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('killJOY', 'J')ust so a bunch of scientists can go, "COOL."

by **aldente** » Sat 02 Jul 2005, 02:26:04

Five year old boys in the sand box like to see things clash, too, Boooom! The same impulse must be the driving force behind this project. The make up of comets is well known. Who tf cares in a world where economic reality is about to clash with the prevalent mindset?!

by **fossil_fuel** » Sat 02 Jul 2005, 03:07:35

actually i think that this is a good use of money. Humans need to figure out the best way to blow up a threatening comet/asteroid. If we all survive peak oil, this is a problem that will some day face us. If an asteroid can destroy the dinosaurs, it could certainly destroy post-PO humanity as well.

by **killJOY** » Sat 02 Jul 2005, 07:32:59

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('', '-')So scientists can go “COOL”, then spend much time analysing the results and gain a better understanding of life the universe and everything.

But I suppose people around here are to [sic] close minded to accept the benefits that pushing scientific studies forwards can offer humanity.

by **dub_scratch** » Sat 02 Jul 2005, 09:38:29

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('fossil_fuel', 'a')ctually i think that this is a good use of money. Humans need to figure out the best way to blow up a threatening comet/asteroid. If we all survive peak oil, this is a problem that will some day face us. If an asteroid can destroy the dinosaurs, it could certainly destroy post-PO humanity as well.

by **fossil_fuel** » Sat 02 Jul 2005, 14:55:43

no, it's good that we're dong this NOW while we still have the fossil fuels to experiment and figure out how to do it.

there will still be telescopes post-peak. and if there's any sort of organized government, i'm sure a threatening asteroid would be it's #1 priority and that we could scrounge up the few thousand barrels that would be needed for such a mission. the main problem i see would be the technical expertise

by **Raxozanne** » Sat 02 Jul 2005, 15:14:02

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('fossil_fuel', ' ')and if there's any sort of organized government, i'm sure a threatening asteroid would be it's #1 priority

by **agni** » Sat 02 Jul 2005, 16:57:58

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('killJOY', '
')
Blowing comets is for school boys.

by **Omnitir** » Sun 03 Jul 2005, 01:28:59

You people that think this is a waste; I suppose you also think that most high-end science research like particle physics is also a waste? Because this project is basically the same experiments as the kind performed in studying sub-atomic particles – speed up some atoms in a particle accelerator, smash them into each other and study the result. This is the best means we have to determine the makeup of sub-atomic particles, just as recording the collision of a commit with high-tech instruments is the best means we have to study an important aspect of our solar system.

Some people may think that scientific research in an area they are not personally interested in is a waste of money, but those people should not go trashing such research just because they have no interest in it. It is valid research and of great interest and importance to many people other then yourselves.

If you want to attack something for being a waste of money, then set your sights on the many facets of capitalism and the corporate world. Attack the plethora of needless materialistic consumerism that humanity indulges in. Attack the self-centred governments of the world that look after themselves before their people. Or best of all attack the ultimate in a waste of money – the human penchant for weapons and to blow things up.

But do not attack something that’s purpose is to merely try and understand the universe a bit better, and perhaps eventually help make the world a better place. Compared to the oceans of money wasted on other useless crap, any such scientific endeavour is both worthwhile and cheap.

The Deep Impact project is far from a waste of money, and is inexpensive pre PO. Choose a better target to attack.

by **k_semler** » Sun 03 Jul 2005, 01:37:35

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Omnitir', '
')...lets give up on our art...

by **aldente** » Sun 03 Jul 2005, 02:53:32

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Omnitir', 't')he collision of a comet with high-tech instruments is the best means we have to study an important aspect of our solar system.
Choose a better target to attack.

by **agni** » Sun 03 Jul 2005, 11:40:58

Its tragic that so many people seem to be unable to appreciate anything outside their really narrow circle of interests and have no curiosity.

-A

by **Laurasia** » Sun 03 Jul 2005, 12:56:10

I say keep going with the space programme for as long as possible, keep the Arts, keep the intellectual curiosity in high gear - it's what we do well, and is part of the nature of our species (one of the better parts, I might add).

Petroleum geologists are scientists too, and I'm rather glad we've had their input to explain the realities of Peak Oil, thus giving some of us, at least, a chance to prepare.

Regards,

L.

by **Chuckmak** » Sun 03 Jul 2005, 13:23:27

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Laurasia', 'I') say keep going with the space programme for as long as possible, keep the Arts, keep the intellectual curiosity in high gear - it's what we do well, and is part of the nature of our species (one of the better parts, I might add).

Petroleum geologists are scientists too, and I'm rather glad we've had their input to explain the realities of Peak Oil, thus giving some of us, at least, a chance to prepare.

Regards,

L.

by **aldente** » Sun 03 Jul 2005, 19:19:51

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('agni', 'I')ts tragic that so many people seem to be unable to appreciate anything outside their really narrow circle of interests and have no curiosity.

Hey! Now we're wasting money blowing up comets!!

Hey! Now we're wasting money blowing up comets!!

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