particle accelerator - big bang

[AcedOut]

On the same note then, what is the point in the Olympics? Who cares about man's achievements - should we just not bother?

I'm sure we have gained much in terms of technology advancement as a direct result of the NASA scientists (as in deed the Russians - although I think they made do with the zero-gravity compliant pencil!).

[*Bob*]

Good to see Bush is keen to get back there.

Just in case they missed anything the first six times.

[Huguenot]

I rather thought the idea of of science was to investigate the world around us to look for opportunities. I don't think you need to go in for these things knowing exactly what you'll get out of it.

Had the moon been made of cheese we would have had a global restructuring of the dairy market overnight.

On a macro level instead what we got were things like computers, multi-channel TV, mobile telephones, weather forecasting. A lot of materials technology that's used for everything from jet engines to that wierdo metallic foil they use after marathons wouldn't be with us were it not for international scale research. International holidays anyone?

On a micro level we've got remote communities benefiting from clean water supplies as a direct result of space technology for astronauts to drink their own wee, innumerable medical tools, lightweight spectacles and even LCD televisions. Solar energy panels (our future may depend etc..)

We even got hydroponics for Nunhead's cannabis farms. ;-)

NASA actually run a division (the Innovative Partnerships Program) whose only task is to bring space technologies to market.

If anyone's a real freak, you can enjoy publications such as Spinoff which cover space-race related technologies over the last thirty odd years.

[SteveT]

Huguenot I believe you have forgotten the most house frau friendly item,

NON STICK frying pans,

those and space blankets which became crisp bags,

are the most prolific results of space exploration,

as far as I'm aware.

[*Bob*]

Don't get me wrong - as a 'thing' the Moon was awe-inspiring and I love it. Been there (so to speak) got the T-shirt etc.

But on every other level it's completely ridiculous. Can you imagine an equivalent thing getting through today?

Imagine the press conference.

Folks.. we're off to the moon.

What's there?

Nothing at all - we know it to be entirely dead and lifeless. But we'll bring you back a stick of rock.

How much will it cost?

Around a hundred billion dollars.

Why are we going?

So we can get a flag on it before China do.

What happens if you're successful?

We'll go back five times and film astronauts playing golf.

How much did you say this is going to cost again?

[SteveT]

It is probably more accessible to most of us than membership in Dulwich golf club *Bob*

[Huguenot]

Apparently That's strong enough logic for Bush....

'We're off to Mars'

'Why? What's there?'

'Well we've already spent $40bn and finally found water'

'Haven't we got that here?'

'Erm....'

Scientific advancement, like sporting prowess, also plays a political role by diverting the electorate away from expansionist foreign policy for a 'feel-good' factor.

I prefer having all these entrepreneurial scientific types focusing on cold fusion, terra-forming, recycling and hibernation

It's better than having them all trying to win $10m for a robotic car brain which will be installed in tanks to ensure it's only the opposition wot get moidered.

[AcedOut]

To alter human conciousness en masse is an extremely powerful political tool. Even the perception of time in our minds has altered over the past decade with the introduction of the internet and mobile telecommunications.