[net.space] Zen and the art of space travel

Dale.Amon%CMU-RI-FAS@sri-unix.UUCP (03/12/84)

I used the above title, for those familiar with the similarly named book
because the preceding arguments on manned vs unmanned (and arguments going
back to the early days with Van Allen) miss a very important point, a very
human point. We go to EXPERIENCE the universe. A photo of Saturn's rings
does little more than whet the appettite to BE there, to see the enormous
rings stretching across a black sky. We are pushing for the space station
because it brings closer the day when those of us bantering on the network
will personally go. Vicarious experience can never hope to match reality.
Worried aboout the tax dollars? Well there is nothing else the government is
doing that I care to have MY tax dollars used for. If we didn't have the
high taxes, economic interference, etc, we would indeed not require federal
help. "Mais, c'est ne pas le mieux des mondes possible, Cunegonde."

						D.Amon, Pgh-L5