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Originally Posted by Tethys
Firstly, what do you think of space exploration being viewed as humanity’s quest?
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I consider it horrific given that we're well on our way to toasting this planet.
I would not like to see humanity
infect space until we've learned to live sustainably upon this one.
Reaching out to consume another planet (after consuming this one) doesn't strike me as admirable, but rather irresponsible and decadent.
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Originally Posted by Tethys
But it is the philosophical questions that most interests me. I mean the way we view our future as humanity, and the transition from Earth to space as a specie.
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Consuming one planet's resources is not sufficient?
I see the drive for space as ego driven entirely - escapism at best.
Nothing admirable about what it represents from a philosophic perspective.
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Originally Posted by Tethys
So, secondly, can space exploration help us to look at ourselves from above, so to speak?
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No.
I think it just reinforces our worst tendencies and bad prejudices about ourselves.
I don't like the idea that we as humans are the center of the universe and that the whole universe exists for our amusement, use or abuse, as we see fit. That is just so arrogant.
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Originally Posted by Tethys
And thirdly, what do you think Neil Armstrong meant when he said “if you want to talk to me about my personal experience, walking on the moon, you're missing the point".
What is "the point"?
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I'd venture to say that Armstrong's point was "one small step for man, one giant step for mankind". Armstrong probably is asserting that his personal experience pales next to the 'giant step for mankind'.
Suffice it to say, Armstrong isn't a philosopher. And I don't see any kind of giant step for mankind here at all. If anything, I just see further evidence of everything that is wrong with the human species degrading our environment. Armstrong's statement fits this to a 't' and that's not pretty or something to be proud of. The technical wizardry that took him to the moon is the same technical wizardry what we've used to rape the planet.
I'd further suggest that the same ideology that took the Americans to the moon is the same ideology that has them caught in a quagmire in Iraq. This is a need to show others how powerful and impressive they are. Exactly the same reason the Soviets put Sputnik up there - because they could.