I was watching part of 2001 a space oddyssey the other day and something struck me. This was the vision of the world for a man who lived in the 1960's that has long since past. It was an optimistic vision that saw mankind excelling in technology as they began exploring our never ending universe.
So what went wrong with this vision? It certainly was not prevented by man's inability to achieve such technology. Surely mankind has the ability to have achieved what the movie portrayed. So why has it not happened?
I say the vision of our future lacked one basic omission. It was the omission of our core nature. Mankind certainly has the capability to excell at whatever he does, but something within him prevents him from doing so. I say that what prevents mankind from achieving such lofty goals is the inward nature of self service. We are too busy trying to fight for what is ours or what we want from others to be concerned with what we could achieve as a whole. Ironically, however, part of this nature is why mankind began to explore the universe. AFter all, the USSR and the US had a "race" to see who could make it into space first and then who could make it to the moon first. It was merely an extension of the cold war and tantamount to a pissing contest. Although both space programs have had minor success at exploration since that time, it pales in comparison to the accelerated space programs during that time. I dare say, had it not been for that cold war, perhaps manking would never have made it to the moon at all. Although mankind seems to possess unlimited potential it seems, we are too busy rolling around in our pig pen to realize such potential. Perhaps if mankind discovered oil on Mars...... 😛
We wouldn't have been able to do much more than we already have. Maybe put someone on Mars, or build a permanent moon base, but that's about it, and it would have been very expensive and had limited use.
What's interesting about 2001: A Space Odyssey though is that it shows HAL as a super advanced computer being able to beat humans at chess, now a trivial task for a desktop computer. 😀
Originally posted by whodeythe 1950's and 1960's was indeed a time of optimism (aside from Joe McCarthy) - much different from the rampant pessimism and cynicism that seems to dominate today's discourse.
I was watching part of 2001 a space oddyssey the other day and something struck me. This was the vision of the world for a man who lived in the 1960's that has long since past. It was an optimistic vision that saw mankind excelling in technology as they began exploring our never ending universe.
So what went wrong with this vision? It certainly was no ...[text shortened]... our pig pen to realize such potential. Perhaps if mankind discovered oil on Mars...... 😛
I think the biggest reason was the Great Depression and World War II. You had 16 years worth of incredible deprivation and horror. After playing a major role in conquering all of that and coming out of it stronger than ever, it's no surprise that Americans believed that pretty much anything was possible if we continue to work together.
The people who lived through all of that must be looking at all of our silly complaints about today's world with total disgust.
Originally posted by KazetNagorraI completly disagree. I say that if mankind detects an astroid due to hit earth and wipe it out, with a reasonable amount of time to respond, we find a way to divert it. In short, necessity is the mother of invention. In fact, I have heard countless scientists come up with various theories for space travel and habitation in space. What is needed is a reason to do so so they fork over the $$$$.
[b]We wouldn't have been able to do much more than we already have. Maybe put someone on Mars, or build a permanent moon base, but that's about it, and it would have been very expensive and had limited use.
Originally posted by whodeyWhat do you know about what's possible?
I completly disagree. I say that if mankind detects an astroid due to hit earth and wipe it out, with a reasonable amount of time to respond, we find a way to divert it. In short, necessity is the mother of invention. In fact, I have heard countless scientists come up with various theories for space travel and habitation in space. What is needed is a reason to do so so they fork over the $$$$.
Originally posted by KazetNagorraI know that we possess the technology to go back to the moon and to go to Mars etc. So why is this not happening? It is not happening because the space program in the US is a shell of its former self. The Cold War is over. There is no urgency any longer.
What do you know about what's possible?
Originally posted by whodeySo who will have the moon station? The chinese?
I know that we possess the technology to go back to the moon and to go to Mars etc. So why is this not happening? It is not happening because the space program in the US is a shell of its former self. The Cold War is over. There is no urgency any longer.
Originally posted by FabianFnasOnly if there is some short term gain to be had. In short, people tend to be shoirt sided and petty and mired in self interest. So, for example, if you could provide some short term benefit in terms of power/wealth in going to the moon then they would be there. In regards to long term interests, not so much. After all, life is short man!!
So who will have the moon station? The chinese?
Originally posted by whodeyPropaganda for the government.
Only if there is some short term gain to be had. In short, people tend to be shoirt sided and petty and mired in self interest. So, for example, if you could provide some short term benefit in terms of power/wealth in going to the moon then they would be there.
Originally posted by PalynkaWhen the US and the USSR had the Cold war brewing it was enough to use going into space and going to the moon as a motivation for doing those things for propagana purposes. It was communism verses capitalism and which system was superior. However, with China turning to capitalism, that it is not the same kind of world that we live in today. Today the fight is economic in terms of who has the fastest growing economy.
Propaganda for the government.
Originally posted by whodeyChina has that one in the bag. And the Chinese Government doesn't want to be seen as a catching-up power, it wants to be seen as a leading one.
When the US and the USSR had the Cold war brewing it was enough to use going into space and going to the moon as a motivation for doing those things for propagana purposes. However, that it is not the same kind of world that we live in today. Today the fight is economic in terms of who has the fastest growing economy.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_space_program#Manned_spaceflight_programs
Originally posted by whodeyWell, going to the moon and Mars is not really on the scale of 2001.
I know that we possess the technology to go back to the moon and to go to Mars etc. So why is this not happening? It is not happening because the space program in the US is a shell of its former self. The Cold War is over. There is no urgency any longer.
Originally posted by KazetNagorraYou do notice that with some 60s/70s sci-fi - they can both under- and over-estimate what technology will do. I remember reading a Robert Heinlein novel (sorry, can't remember which one) where someone travels into the "future" (now our past).
What's interesting about 2001: A Space Odyssey though is that it shows HAL as a super advanced computer being able to beat humans at chess, now a trivial task for a desktop computer. 😀
They have proper artificial intelligence and anti-gravity. But the main character makes money by inventing some sort of draughtman's gadget that would be rendered completely obsolete by even a basic modern CAD package.
I can only assume that our predictions about what we'll be able to do in the future will be similarly incorrect.
Originally posted by KazetNagorraNo but it proves that our endevours have been stunted. How then are we to progress if we do not foster our abilities? Its like locking up a child in a closet and wondering why they can't talk. Technology builds on itself. I dare say that if we had pursued going to the moon and Mars other advances would be sure to accompany them.
Well, going to the moon and Mars is not really on the scale of 2001.
Originally posted by mtthwI predict future advances be built around controlling our fellow man. This means greater advances in terms of monitoring the populace. Specifically I look for advances in monitoring our spending and money making endevours. In addition, I think the world will look very Orwellian much like the UK is today. There is a camera every where except up you arse.
You do notice that with some 60s/70s sci-fi - they can both under- and over-estimate what technology will do. I remember reading a Robert Heinlein novel (sorry, can't remember which one) where someone travels into the "future" (now our past).
They have proper artificial intelligence and anti-gravity. But the main character makes money by inventing some so ...[text shortened]... t our predictions about what we'll be able to do in the future will be similarly incorrect.