New2view's Blog   Life on The Blue Marble

What is driving the ever-increasing efforts for space flights.? Could it be a few moments of relief from, pardon the expression, a declining planet?

Indeed, in all honesty the human imprint on this beautiful creation can only be described as disgraceful. I need not list well known degrading stats, they are becoming so well publicized today.

So why is the ‘great race’ now focusing on space flight, even about travelling to Mars at great expense!?

Surely this is a fair question to ask given the very expensive international competition today. The enormous expenditure and use of human and material resources begs an answer.

After all, better alternative uses of such resources are endless in this pandemic world, such as hunger; poverty; homelessness; crime; and the list goes on. It could well be argued these and many other societal issues should be the real international priorities!

Instead there is an intense focus on searching for greater knowledge of outer space, Mars in particular. This is clearly a search that will never be completed. In fact the usual consequence of exploration and research is ever more unanswered questions!

True, thirst for knowledge is definitely part of the human equation. But that desire is parallel to ever increasing problems mankind has created. It may be said that ‘never the twain will meet’ when it comes to these two primary issues; the quest for knowledge, and resolving human failures, both natural and societal, they are both seemingly endless issues. But I digress;

To get back to the original question; why has the race to explore space, and Mars in particular, taken on such urgency today?

I am only one humble member of the human family, but imho it’s like this; mankind is seeking to obviate its societal failures, otherwise known as an attempt to escape the reality of human failures on earth! Failures I will not list here but honest people will freely admit they exist in spades, both physical and spiritual.

No doubt, this answer will offend ardent supporters of space exploration owing to a basic desire in all of us to learn more about our place in the universe. However, please consider my reasoning seriously; what is more important: increasing knowledge of outer space that will not and never can be fully satisfied; or serious commitment for the betterment of the earth and mankind now? The answer is surely obvious to sincere people.

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