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On the other hand, what kind of useful projects would take so long to build today? Even massive infrastructure like the Channel Tunnel or the Panama Canal can b

On the other hand, what kind of useful projects would take so long to build today? Even massive infrastructure like the Channel Tunnel or the Panama Canal can be finished well within one lifetime. Technology changes too fast for that to be reasonable these days. Let’s say I design some massive bridge that will take 100 years to build. Why would we start construction today, when technological changes might render it completely obsolete before it’s even done? The fact that people were able to plan and execute a centuries-long construction project for a monument to society’s shared imaginary friend is fascinating and speaks well of them but it doesn’t seem like the sort of thing we should strive to emulate.

kijin 8y ago
Space exploration comes to mind. What if we decided to send a probe to a nearby star system to explore its exoplanets? Even with superior propulsion technology, the probe might take hundreds of years to get there. Which means we'll need to find a way to keep the probe's computing and communications systems functional for all those years, not to mention maintain compatible systems on Earth. Moreover, once the probe reaches its destination, any command we send will take several years to take effect.
- mikeash 8y ago
  If you were doing it today, you’d be better off putting your effort into improved propulsion. A time may come when you hit the limits and need to carry out a very long project to send a probe to another star, but we’re not there now.
  - kijin 8y ago
    There's always going to be better propulsion just around the corner, at least until you reach something like 0.999c. At some point you just say "fuck it, we're launching this probe now."
    - mikeash 8y ago
      The point when your probe arrives soonest is not the point where your propulsion technology is fastest, certainly, but that point is very unlikely to be now.
philwelch 8y ago
That’s exactly what ended up happening with the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona. The construction was originally going to take much longer, but modern construction technology has made it possible to finish sooner.

kijin 8y ago

Space exploration comes to mind. What if we decided to send a probe to a nearby star system to explore its exoplanets? Even with superior propulsion technology, the probe might take hundreds of years to get there. Which means we'll need to find a way to keep the probe's computing and communications systems functional for all those years, not to mention maintain compatible systems on Earth. Moreover, once the probe reaches its destination, any command we send will take several years to take effect.

mikeash 8y ago
If you were doing it today, you’d be better off putting your effort into improved propulsion. A time may come when you hit the limits and need to carry out a very long project to send a probe to another star, but we’re not there now.
- kijin 8y ago
  There's always going to be better propulsion just around the corner, at least until you reach something like 0.999c. At some point you just say "fuck it, we're launching this probe now."
  - mikeash 8y ago
    The point when your probe arrives soonest is not the point where your propulsion technology is fastest, certainly, but that point is very unlikely to be now.

philwelch 8y ago

That’s exactly what ended up happening with the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona. The construction was originally going to take much longer, but modern construction technology has made it possible to finish sooner.