4 ms·

Is there any country on Earth who, if they launched a lunar mission, you would not consider it a distraction from real problems?

cjbgkagh 3y ago
Norway, Switzerland, there are many others, most countries in fact.
- dmoy 3y ago
  Idk if I'd say most, but there's definitely a bunch.
  - cjbgkagh 3y ago
    I think there needs to be a combination of size of country and the degree that they're currently involved in unpopular actions that gives rise to the necessity of such distraction. For small corrupt countries I would definitely find it really weird if they had a lunar program but I would figure that they could more efficiently maintain consent of the governed through more traditional mechanisms and must be doing it for other reasons; perhaps quirky 'big man' of poor country likes to play with rockets.
    - ThisIsMyAltAcct 3y ago
      You seriously think the main reason to have a lunar program is bread and circuses? The ESA launched a lunar probe in 2006 but haven't since. I guess they only needed the distraction that one time? I guess each of the 22 ESA members needed a little "consent of the governed" boost?
      - cjbgkagh 3y ago
        I do, the main reason yes. The ESA membership diffuses the distraction amongst the members to the point that it doesn't fulfil the same purpose.
        ThisIsMyAltAcct 3y ago
        Well, you're just flat wrong. These programs are meant to develop a country's domestic tech and spaceflight capabilities, test new technology, look for potential resources on the moon, perform science experiments, etc. Increasing national standing may be an objective but it's not the main one because there are cheaper and more effective ways to make circuses than launching a lunar lander. I bet more people know about the relationship Travis Kelce and Taylor swift than are even aware that the US has a lander on the moon. The headlines about it will be gone by Monday unless it explodes or something.
        cjbgkagh 3y ago
        None of those need the Moon except for 'potential resources' and maybe some science. And the 'potential resources' is pharisaical. The US has already done the Moon thing, I guess the current Moon plan is to act as a stepping stone for Mars but honestly I don't see the point of going to Mars either. Humanity would be hard pressed to destroy the Earth to such a point that it would be more inhospitable than Mars already is.

cjbgkagh 3y ago

Norway, Switzerland, there are many others, most countries in fact.

dmoy 3y ago
Idk if I'd say most, but there's definitely a bunch.
- cjbgkagh 3y ago
  I think there needs to be a combination of size of country and the degree that they're currently involved in unpopular actions that gives rise to the necessity of such distraction. For small corrupt countries I would definitely find it really weird if they had a lunar program but I would figure that they could more efficiently maintain consent of the governed through more traditional mechanisms and must be doing it for other reasons; perhaps quirky 'big man' of poor country likes to play with rockets.
  - ThisIsMyAltAcct 3y ago
    You seriously think the main reason to have a lunar program is bread and circuses? The ESA launched a lunar probe in 2006 but haven't since. I guess they only needed the distraction that one time? I guess each of the 22 ESA members needed a little "consent of the governed" boost?
    - cjbgkagh 3y ago
      I do, the main reason yes. The ESA membership diffuses the distraction amongst the members to the point that it doesn't fulfil the same purpose.
      - ThisIsMyAltAcct 3y ago
        Well, you're just flat wrong. These programs are meant to develop a country's domestic tech and spaceflight capabilities, test new technology, look for potential resources on the moon, perform science experiments, etc. Increasing national standing may be an objective but it's not the main one because there are cheaper and more effective ways to make circuses than launching a lunar lander. I bet more people know about the relationship Travis Kelce and Taylor swift than are even aware that the US has a lander on the moon. The headlines about it will be gone by Monday unless it explodes or something.
        cjbgkagh 3y ago
        None of those need the Moon except for 'potential resources' and maybe some science. And the 'potential resources' is pharisaical. The US has already done the Moon thing, I guess the current Moon plan is to act as a stepping stone for Mars but honestly I don't see the point of going to Mars either. Humanity would be hard pressed to destroy the Earth to such a point that it would be more inhospitable than Mars already is.