Video of the Day: Angry astronauts

Question

Today's video deals with a topic of great importance to the U.S. as a nation. However, space travel and space technology have captivated the attention of people all over the world. I have family members who work for NASA, so I have my thoughts. Please share yours.

Comment in Spanish (with the English translation). Please remember to check for your corrections and to vote for your favorites.

The future of space travel

Answer 1

The problem with the "more pressing needs" argument is that there are always pressing needs. There has never been a government that was in a position to say, "Well, we've got a whole lot of extra money lying around and nothing to spend it on, so let's invest in the future." The industrial revolution was, in large part, the result of "greedy capitalists" who (hoping to make future profits) invested in technology (and, in many cases, ignored the current suffering of the poor). They were, of course abetted by (a much smaller number) of visionaries (whose motives were the totally impractical pursuits of knowledge/science). Had the focus (all along) been on feeding and clothing the poor (until all were well fed and clothed), our leading "industries" would be farming and textiles. The fact that science and technology have made tremendous contributions to the feeding, clothing, medical care and sheltering of many, is mostly a matter of luck (certainly not the addressing of "short term"/immediate problems).

The simplest "short-term"/immediate solution to hunger and poverty would be a plague/pandemic that eliminated (say) half the people in the world. Then there would be enough food to go around (there might be problems with distribution but there wouldn't be shortages in any absolute sense).

Muy interesante Samdie. - Nicole-B, Apr 20, 2010

I totally agree that there will "always be more pressing needs". I think that people often forget how many technological discoveries and advances were made with the NASA program. - Nicole-B, Apr 20, 2010

It is not just a matter of "walking on the moon" or creating the steam engine. Beyond that, there is the vision and the desire to do the "impossible" that stretches us as a nation. - Nicole-B, Apr 20, 2010

Answer 2

I think in times of financial crisis, like we have right now, we must be careful where we spend our money. Space travel is not as important as spending money on social programs that take care of the American people. One example is the job stimulus program.

In my opinion, space travel is an extravagance that we cannot afford right now.

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Creo que en tiempos de crisis financiero, como tememos ahora mismo, debemos tener cuidado donde y como gastamos nuestro dinero. Viajes espaciales no es tan importante como gastar dinero para programas sociales que apoyar los estadounideses. Por ejemplo, los programas que estímular los empleos.

In mi opinión, viajes espaciales es un dispendio que no podemos permitir ahora mismo.

Answer 3

¡Caray! La voz de este hombre es muy aburrido.

Blimey that man's voice is boring.

I´m sorry I can't say anything enlightened, it was all I could think of while I was trying to listen :P - --Jen--, Apr 19, 2010

Interesting observation. He is one of the top national reporters on network TV here. Hopefully, for your sake, he won't be making a move to Sky News or the BBC. :) - Nicole-B, Apr 19, 2010

Answer 4

¿Como se dice, "D---ed if you do, d---ed if you don't" en español?

Creo que que sacrificamos nuestro liderazgo en la ciencia y la tecnología. La mayor parte del dinero guardado será malgastado en programas ineficaces e ineficaces sociales, y proyectos "pork barrel."

I think we are sacrificing our leadership in science and technology. Most of the money saved will be wasted on ineffective and inefficient social programs, and pork barrel projects.

Whoa, I was just told that my phrase contained "lenguaje bisafema". Perhaps the filter is set a little too high? - LaBurra, Apr 19, 2010

Answer 5

¡Esto es ridículo! ¡Quienquiera que hizo REALMENTE esta elección es un imbécil! ¿Qué tal todos esos niños que han tenido el sueño para llegar a ser un astronauta? Obama hizo la elección equivocada.

This is ridiculous! Whoever REALLY made this choice is an imbecile! What about all of those children that have had the dream to become an astronaut? Obama made the wrong choice.

Go to these links for more about this topic:

Video - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uzzbrjbqVRQ&NR=1

Part 1- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mJhlsDihga0&feature=related

Part 2 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J6gZ-OdgQHk&feature=related

Part 3 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hLmKAK9u_mM&feature=related