It’s dangerous to think humans have a destiny outside Earth

Re:It’s dangerous to think humans have a destiny outside Earth by lkbm on Thursday October 29, 2020 @11:48AM (#24931768)

It's because of the recent RNC tweet[0] with a list of some of Trump's priorities for the next term, and the firs two listed were a permanent presence on the moon and sending a manned mission to Mars. It did not mention the pandemic.

Most people who already considered these were a waste of resources probably didn't bother talking about it much. Now they are, because they have a clear rallying point to shout about.

I'm very pro-space exploration, and I think highlighting those priorities right now is absurd. Imagine being someone who already thought they were a distraction from more immediate needs seeing this tweet.

EDIT: I should clarify, their first reply to that tweet went on to mentioning a vaccine, but most people just saw the first tweet.

[0] https://twitter.com/gop/status/1319715289328766980

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Re:It’s dangerous to think humans have a destiny outside Earth by save_ferris on Thursday October 29, 2020 @11:53AM (#24931813)

This is the nature of political strategy. The pandemic is a really hard thing for the current administration to spin, so they're probably better off talking about "hopes and dreams" types of things. They're trying as hard as possible to look good right now in order to get reelected.

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Re:It’s dangerous to think humans have a destiny outside Earth by dingaling on Friday October 30, 2020 @05:17AM (#24940486)

Or you could consider that whilst this global pandemic hasn't been particularly lethal or existence-threatening, the next one might be. And having off-site backup for humanity is wise in that context.

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Re:It’s dangerous to think humans have a destiny outside Earth by save_ferris on Friday October 30, 2020 @09:04AM (#24941771)

We as a society can’t even agree to guarantee basic fundamentals needed to live in the US. Flint, MI still has tainted water, millions are unemployed, homelessness is rising and some are starving.

We can’t take care of our people on this planet, what makes you think everyone, or even most people, would be the ones chosen to be on the ships headed for a new life? Just look at what billionaires spend on private doomsday shelters, you think they’re willing to accommodate the masses? Migration from Earth under those circumstances would look a whole lot like the Titanic tragedy: life boats for the rich and powerful and certain death for everyone else.

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Re:It’s dangerous to think humans have a destiny outside Earth by endtime on Thursday October 29, 2020 @11:54AM (#24931832)

In addition to your point about timing, there is also a contingent of people who will reflexively oppose anything Trump advocates, completely independent of merit.

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