November 22, 2009
UTNE READER

Houston, We Have a Problem

(Page 2 of 2)

November / December 2006
Keith Goetzman Utne Reader 
Article Tools
Print
Comments
RSS
Bookmark and Share

Certainly, there is human value to the study of space, from simply gaining knowledge to developing spin-off technologies to providing national defense. Let's keep looking upward to learn what we can, using unmanned flights whenever possible, and let's not leave ourselves vulnerable to attack. But let's also be wary of promises that are driven more by fearmongers, desperate politicians, and aerospace industry lobbyists than by real needs. And let's not be fooled into thinking that the space people will always act ethically and in the public interest. There is a rocket fuel chemical in my wife's breast milk, and my sons have drunk it. That's one of space flight's less glorious legacies.

RELATED CONTENT

Recently, some gung-ho proponents of space exploration have taken my main point-we are straining Earth's resources to the breaking point-and cynically tried to turn it to their advantage. We must go to space, they say, to find a new home, or new energy sources, or some friendly aliens who can show us the way. These are all long-shot propositions akin to hoping to win the lottery, whereas dramatic and cataclysmic climate change is now a near certainty. I'm going with the safer bet: Stay and fight.

Page: << Previous 1 | 2 |
Bookmark and Share
RSS | Comments | E-mail | Print

Comments

Add Your Comment

We’d like to know what you think. To comment, please use this form. E-mail addresses are never displayed on comments, but they are required to confirm your comments. First time registrants: You will receive an email confirming your email address. Once you confirm, your comment will be posted. Questions about our comments policy? Click here.

Line breaks and paragraphs are automatically converted — no need to use <p> or <br> tags.

New to Utne Reader?
Sign up to share comments.
Asterisks(*) indicate required fields.
Name*
Your name appears next to your comment.

E-mail Address*
This will be your login ID.

City State Zip Code

Password*


Confirm Password*

Comments
1500 character limit (Offensive materials and/or spam will be removed, no HTML allowed)
Please Note: Your sign-up must be verified via e-mail before your comment is published.
FEATURED ARTICLES
MOST POPULAR


Pay Now & Save $6!
First Name: *
 Last Name: *
Address: *
 City: *
State/Province: *
 Zip/Postal Code:*
Country:
 Email:*
(* indicates a required item)
Canadian subs: 1 year, (includes postage & GST). Foreign subs: 1 year, . U.S. funds.
Canadian Subscribers - Click Here
Non US and Canadian Subscribers - Click Here
Want to gain a fresh perspective? Read stories that matter? Feel optimistic about the future? It's all here! Utne Reader offers provocative writing from diverse perspectives, insightful analysis of art and media, down-to-earth news and in-depth coverage of eye-opening issues that affect your life.

Save Even More Money By Paying NOW!

Pay now with a credit card and take advantage of our Earth-Friendly automatic renewal savings plan. You save an additional $6 and get 6 issues of Utne Reader for only $29.95 (USA only).

Or Bill Me Later and pay just $36 for 6 issues of Utne Reader!