I like your response to Bravo, Othosmops, and it was something I didnt think of. I was wondering , with the terrible state Earth and humanity is in, why are they going to Mars? Your comment to Bravo...''But the demonstration of the remaining ability to achieve a generally accepted human advancement - a permanent colonization of the planet Mars - should impress the people of Earth and animate them to pull their governments back from the warpath to hopefully saving cooperation.'' made me understand better. And I can see this reasoning. Thats why Star Trek is popular, the idea that humans can finally unite, and go on to achieve great things
When the Greenlandic Vikings lost the ability to build ocean-going ships in the 13th century (due to the lack of long logs) and could no longer obtain iron in Labrador (and became completely dependent on the few supply ships from Europe, which failed altogether in the 14th century, due to the plague epidemic in Europe), they built the mighty church of Hvalsey, as a supposed sign of their remaining potency. For me, this shows not only that symbols of progress can certainly change, but also that they take on a more religious character the more desperate the situation.
Yes, it's grasping at straws; but at the same time, it's more. If it were only that, then the immense costs would certainly have been better invested in the establishment of underground plantations on earth. But the demonstration of the remaining ability to achieve a generally accepted human advancement - a permanent colonization of the planet Mars - should impress the people of Earth and animate them to pull their governments back from the warpath to hopefully saving cooperation.
jerrie at 2:28PM, May 30, 2022
I like your response to Bravo, Othosmops, and it was something I didnt think of. I was wondering , with the terrible state Earth and humanity is in, why are they going to Mars? Your comment to Bravo...''But the demonstration of the remaining ability to achieve a generally accepted human advancement - a permanent colonization of the planet Mars - should impress the people of Earth and animate them to pull their governments back from the warpath to hopefully saving cooperation.'' made me understand better. And I can see this reasoning. Thats why Star Trek is popular, the idea that humans can finally unite, and go on to achieve great things
Othosmops at 11:35PM, May 30, 2022
When the Greenlandic Vikings lost the ability to build ocean-going ships in the 13th century (due to the lack of long logs) and could no longer obtain iron in Labrador (and became completely dependent on the few supply ships from Europe, which failed altogether in the 14th century, due to the plague epidemic in Europe), they built the mighty church of Hvalsey, as a supposed sign of their remaining potency. For me, this shows not only that symbols of progress can certainly change, but also that they take on a more religious character the more desperate the situation.
plymayer at 12:09PM, May 30, 2022
Politics.
Othosmops at 11:37PM, May 30, 2022
Giselle Bernier, politically correct - I could hardly believe my ears! 😮
bravo1102 at 2:56AM, May 30, 2022
And just how much of this is just grasping at straws?
Othosmops at 5:46AM, May 30, 2022
Yes, it's grasping at straws; but at the same time, it's more. If it were only that, then the immense costs would certainly have been better invested in the establishment of underground plantations on earth. But the demonstration of the remaining ability to achieve a generally accepted human advancement - a permanent colonization of the planet Mars - should impress the people of Earth and animate them to pull their governments back from the warpath to hopefully saving cooperation.