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All of what you said can better be done by machines and many such things are done by machines. The milestones that get people existed are when men reach places

All of what you said can better be done by machines and many such things are done by machines. The milestones that get people existed are when men reach places hitherto unreached, but there is no practical purpose to risking the life of a man who needs far more complicated facilities to survive, other than bragging rights. The I.S.S. was largely a political and not a scientific endeavor, and it's a shame it consumed so many resources, that could have gone to more serious scientific efforts. The cost of the I.S.S. could have easily given mankind nuclear fusion, — the ability to power entire countries with a couple of litres of seawater. It's strange where priorities lie.

seabrookmx 6y ago
> could have easily given mankind nuclear fusion There's no proof of this because viable nuclear fusion has not yet been achieved. Humanity may never achieve this for all we know (though I sincerely hope we do).
- Blikkentrekker 6y ago
  The same can be said about any research whereto resources are allocated. Making a reasonable estimate when both started, nuclear fusion seems to be a smarter investment, for if it finally be there, the benefits are incalculable.
  - Beldin 6y ago
    We have nuclear fusion, both from the sun and here on Earth (ITER, NIF, H-bombs). The main problems with human-started nuclear fusion are that (so far, iirc) it consumes more energy than it produces, and we cannot sustain it for a long time. "The benefits" are currently very calculable, and direct economics of nuclear fusion is very negative. (The research benefit is unique though.) For nuclear fusion to be of incalculable benefit to mankind, we need insanely small nuclear fusion that is energy-positive and sustainable in a simple way. "Insanely small" means smaller than Moon-sized, when we know that Jupiter-sized is too small/light in nature. Sustained nuclear fusion for energy generation still faces daunting challenges.

seabrookmx 6y ago

> could have easily given mankind nuclear fusion There's no proof of this because viable nuclear fusion has not yet been achieved. Humanity may never achieve this for all we know (though I sincerely hope we do).

Blikkentrekker 6y ago
The same can be said about any research whereto resources are allocated. Making a reasonable estimate when both started, nuclear fusion seems to be a smarter investment, for if it finally be there, the benefits are incalculable.
- Beldin 6y ago
  We have nuclear fusion, both from the sun and here on Earth (ITER, NIF, H-bombs). The main problems with human-started nuclear fusion are that (so far, iirc) it consumes more energy than it produces, and we cannot sustain it for a long time. "The benefits" are currently very calculable, and direct economics of nuclear fusion is very negative. (The research benefit is unique though.) For nuclear fusion to be of incalculable benefit to mankind, we need insanely small nuclear fusion that is energy-positive and sustainable in a simple way. "Insanely small" means smaller than Moon-sized, when we know that Jupiter-sized is too small/light in nature. Sustained nuclear fusion for energy generation still faces daunting challenges.