Beans vs. Bullets...What about Bombs vs. Starships???

[Steelgrave]

Just caught this link via Realclearpolitics.com.  While I don't necessarily agree with all of his proposals number-wise, I think he makes a great point about mankind advancing through science. If nothing else, the article appeals to my sci-fi geekboy side. Would you prefer to be Captain of the CV Enterprise or Captain of the Starship Enterprise  8)

http://blogs.scientificamerican.com/guest-blog/2012/10/08/stop-building-bombs-and-start-building-starships/

[MetalDog]

It has been my contention for quite some time that man needs to move to the stars A.S.A.P.!  Our resources are limited and finite.  And if we don't find new sources, we risk cannibalizing the planet and literally eating our own.  The population pressure needs to be eased.  And a myriad other problems, great and small.  A concerted effort to use science to get us where we need to go would be a great step in the right direction and I am all for it!

[GDS_Starfury]

thats a load of horseshit.

military research has been the cutting edge of science for decades.  for all countries.
Im typing this on what began as a DARPA research sharing network.
the military budget is around the lowest its been in decades.
we'll get to the stars but its still going to be a hundred years or so.

[Steelgrave]

^That's why I said I don't agree with his proposals, but I agree with the sentiment. I've thought space exploration (like most of us geeks) should be a much higher priority for years. And undoubtedly the military will be the cutting edge there. But it's difficult to get the general's eyes away from shiny new toys that we can use now, such as the F-35. Space exploration will pay off big one day, but it's an investment, and not one for short sighted general officers or politicians.

[Centurion40]

IMHO, we'll move deeper into space when there is an economic necessity (or an otherwise reasonable expectation of a strong profit), a direct threat, or when the cost is low enough that motivated and wealthy individuals can afford to sponsor an adventurer(s). 

[Windigo]

thats a load of horseshit.

military research has been the cutting edge of science for decades.  for all countries.
Im typing this on what began as a DARPA research sharing network.
the military budget is around the lowest its been in decades.
we'll get to the stars but its still going to be a hundred years or so.

theoretical physics, materials engineering and astrophysics specificly will provide us with the knowledge what we lack is the will - grounded by people with too much heaven on their minds