4 ms·

Both US and USSR lost. Look at predictions, there was supposed to be lunar colony by now.

by jkot 11y ago

playing_colours 11y ago
I would say human race lost to itself by preferring consumerism to space romantics and progress. I cannot remember a great quote from some sci-fi classic writer about it.
- cm2012 11y ago
  Why is a lunar colony inherently more noble than other tech..?
  - vdaniuk 11y ago
    Please try to consider the possible context of space tech development. A lunar base would mark a start of humanity as a space-faring species but that is just part of the story. A functioning outer space settlement could be an indicator of humanity's commitment to long-term infrastructural projects signalling consensus and coordination of stakeholders in the public interest.
    - simonh 11y ago
      That's an extraordinarily expensive way to send a signal.
      - TeMPOraL 11y ago
        Expensive signals tend to be strong and self-reinforcing. Also, I think GP meant that it would be a proof, not the cause, of global coordination.
  - TeMPOraL 11y ago
    It may not be, but lunar colony involves a lot different types of technology. It's what you see in the "space romantics and progress" stories, which I agree would be a better focus than what we have now (i.e. absolutely none, just random walking along incentive structures generated by market economy).
    - notahacker 11y ago
      It's difficult to miss what hasn't been invented, but real life developments like the internet and gene sequencing/editing seem rather more [potentially] significant for humanity than obvious priorities of lunar colonies like more efficient rockets. Many of the challenges associated with a lunar colony also apply to our existing orbital space station (though granted, a moon base could be a reason for more innovation in foodstuffs)
- fsloth 11y ago
  Or we're going the roundabout way towards it. First perfect the art of indoor culture, then send the thousand year traveling seedships (and not have them collapse under a massive psychological problem). First de-sensitize humans as a species to survive inside artificial cubes, to be culturally indoctrinated to communication and co-ordination through tiny screens - then, when the entire planet is basically psychologically fit to survive inside sealed containers doing nothing but eating processed foodstuffs and play multiplayer online games for a thousand generations then pack the hardiest of them inside containers and chug the towards the nearest star with an earth like world.

Both US and USSR lost. Look at predictions, there was supposed to be lunar colony by now.

by jkot 11y ago

Both US and USSR lost. Look at predictions, there was supposed to be lunar colony by now.

I would say human race lost to itself by preferring consumerism to space romantics and progress. I cannot remember a great quote from some sci-fi classic writer about it.

cm2012 11y ago
Why is a lunar colony inherently more noble than other tech..?
- vdaniuk 11y ago
  Please try to consider the possible context of space tech development. A lunar base would mark a start of humanity as a space-faring species but that is just part of the story. A functioning outer space settlement could be an indicator of humanity's commitment to long-term infrastructural projects signalling consensus and coordination of stakeholders in the public interest.
  - simonh 11y ago
    That's an extraordinarily expensive way to send a signal.
    - TeMPOraL 11y ago
      Expensive signals tend to be strong and self-reinforcing. Also, I think GP meant that it would be a proof, not the cause, of global coordination.
- TeMPOraL 11y ago
  It may not be, but lunar colony involves a lot different types of technology. It's what you see in the "space romantics and progress" stories, which I agree would be a better focus than what we have now (i.e. absolutely none, just random walking along incentive structures generated by market economy).
  - notahacker 11y ago
    It's difficult to miss what hasn't been invented, but real life developments like the internet and gene sequencing/editing seem rather more [potentially] significant for humanity than obvious priorities of lunar colonies like more efficient rockets. Many of the challenges associated with a lunar colony also apply to our existing orbital space station (though granted, a moon base could be a reason for more innovation in foodstuffs)
fsloth 11y ago
Or we're going the roundabout way towards it. First perfect the art of indoor culture, then send the thousand year traveling seedships (and not have them collapse under a massive psychological problem). First de-sensitize humans as a species to survive inside artificial cubes, to be culturally indoctrinated to communication and co-ordination through tiny screens - then, when the entire planet is basically psychologically fit to survive inside sealed containers doing nothing but eating processed foodstuffs and play multiplayer online games for a thousand generations then pack the hardiest of them inside containers and chug the towards the nearest star with an earth like world.