The money or the moon?

[firefighter]

Ok here it is.........If you could go to the moon, risk free, in a space shuttle, and know you'll safely get back, or have one million dollars, which would you choose?

[Usarka]

Easy, the moon.

Unless the ride to the moon is so common place that its cheaper than the 1million, in which case i'd take the money and buy my own trip.

[Ixion]

Make it Mars and you've got a deal. The moon is so 20th century. Been there, done that. Mars, now, thats the real thing. Don't need to worry about getting back.Not got long to go anyway , be totally happy not to come back.

Any chance you could extend the deal to include the nearer stars? I always wanted to look up at a different sun.

When I was young (probably your age) we used quite seriously to think that we would one day (before we were old and grey) go for holidays on the Moon , if not the planets. Somewhere along the line the human species wimped out.

I don't quite know where or when, but it's a sad thing. I blame youff (well, everybody does) . If you're under 40 , it's all your fault

[skidMark]

The only reason people wanna goto the moon is because hardly anybody has ever done it.

Who cares.

Gimme a desmosedici rr and use the rest for petrol for a lifetime of riding and expensive ducati services mmmmmm

[nallac]

yip i'd take the moon.

[Ixion]

The only reason people wanna goto the moon is because hardly anybody has ever done it.

Who cares.

Gimme a desmosedici rr and use the rest for petrol for a lifetime of riding and expensive ducati services mmmmmm


EXACTLY. You're youff. It's your fault. Alas, I fear the the human speicies has lost the ability to dream mighty dreams. My generation is perhaps the last who will ever have looked outward in holy wonder and said "Bugger it, we'll do it. I'm going there" Later generations have settled for narrower horizons, lesser goals. Humanity is on the downward curve I think.

Oh, and Mr Motu, this is NOT an opening for you to dredge up your damn sucky-blowy hover things. They're never going to happen. They lied to us. Youff has betrayed us.

[flyingcrocodile46]

Going to the moon won't make any difference to the lives of those I care about. Give me the money.

[skidMark]

Going to the moon won't make any difference to the lives of those I care about. Give me the money.


Well put... it's a selfish way to spend it.

Buying a ducati isn't lol

[Ixion]

I suspect that nothing would do that. Go for the moon. It's more expensive than Gene-O-Kleen, but needs must

[Her_C4]

....but needs must

When the evil drives??

Hmm I am all about the $$ - I have plenty of places I would rather go and see or live in before wanting to go to the moon :-)

[Rockbuddy]

i suppose it would be good to be the first person on the moon

[Her_C4]

i suppose it would be good to be the first person on the moon

Ha ha ha - yeah some one has gotta do it for real eh??:devil2:

[Ixion]

Just so. You are youff. You have lost the capacity to dream. When I was young, humanity was broadening its viewpoint. Now , it is narrowing it. Every year it gets narrower , less generous, less noble We can even see it here, on this site. Narrow minds, narrow ideals. The microcrosm mirrors the macrocosom , and the future of mankind may be seen in PD. Anything that is intellectually challenging is rejected.

My generation entrusted the future of mankind to your generation. Alas , you have have betrayed and abandoned that trust. We dreamed of the stars, we did not think that our descendents would be of lesser cailbre.

Heinlein is dead, there will never be another such, Youff does not have the capacity to comprend whereof he spoke.

I repose my hope in the dolphins. Perhaps when mankind is extinct they will reach the stars.

[skidMark]

Just so. You are youff. You have lost the capacity to dream. When I was young, humanity was broadening its viewpoint. Now , it is narrowing it. Every year it gets narrower , less generous, less noble We can even see it here, on this site. Narrow minds, narrow ideals. The microcrosm mirrors the macrocosom , and the future of mankind may be seen in PD. Anything that is intellectually challenging is rejected.

My generation entrusted the future of mankind to your generation. Alas , you have have betrayed and abandoned that trust. We dreamed of the stars, we did not think that our descendents would be of lesser cailbre.

Heinlein is dead, there will never be another such, Youff does not have the capacity to comprend whereof he spoke.

I repose my hope in the dolphins. Perhaps when mankind is extinct they will reach the stars.


Well dolphins do shag for fun...

EDIT: You're talking like you've been drinking rum old fella. or whiskey?

[Ixion]

Yes, they do.

And, in defiance of the miserable and the mediocre, I would add "the Skidmarks of humanity" to the dolphins in the list of those who give me some faint hope for the future of our species.

You have at least the ability to cling to great ideals and ambitions despite their seeming impossibility. Which is more than can be said of the narrow minded and miserable souls who belittle you (and the dolphins)

[skidMark]

Which is more than can be said of the narrow minded and miserable souls who belittle you (and the dolphins)


Honda riders for example?

[Ixion]

Do dolphins ride Hondas? It would explain a lot.

[hXc]

i suppose it would be good to be the first person on the moonYou don't seriously believe that bullshit conspiracy do you?

I would choose neither. Going to the moon would not bring me happiness. Nor would $1m. We have enough problems with human nature on Earth alone, so forget taking them anywhere else. Sort the shit out here first. Sort out the poverty, the genocide, the abuse of power. Sort out the apathy and the ignorance to the problems of present day society. Don't look to the past, 'cause the past didn't work. If it did work, we wouldn't be where we are.

Look to the future, find new ways of using your intelligence (however little it may be) to make a difference in the world we live in today.

[Nagash]

Give me the money...

Have too many material things that i'd rather have then bouncing around on the moon for a bit.

[skidMark]

Do dolphins ride Hondas? It would explain a lot.

I'm not too sure, Alot in what way great profit?

[Jeremy]

Can I have a universal constructor instead?

[onearmedbandit]

You don't seriously believe that bullshit conspiracy do you?

I would choose neither. Going to the moon would not bring me happiness. Nor would $1m. We have enough problems with human nature on Earth alone, so forget taking them anywhere else. Sort the shit out here first. Sort out the poverty, the genocide, the abuse of power. Sort out the apathy and the ignorance to the problems of present day society. Don't look to the past, 'cause the past didn't work. If it did work, we wouldn't be where we are.

Look to the future, find new ways of using your intelligence (however little it may be) to make a difference in the world we live in today.

Yeah, but all that aside, if you had to choose one, which one?

[hXc]

Yeah, but all that aside, if you had to choose one, which one?If it was a matter of life or slow and extremely painful death, I would choose the money. And I would then spend the majority of that money on efforts to help those who need it.

The reason I say slow and extremely painful death is because death itself does not scare me. What happens or doesn't happen after death does not scare me. The only thing about death and dying that scares me is how it happens. I want it to be quick and painless, over in a second. Not slow and painful.

[Ixion]

Sort out the apathy and the ignorance to the problems of present day society. Don't look to the past, 'cause the past didn't work. If it did work, we wouldn't be where we are.

Look to the future, find new ways of using your intelligence (however little it may be) to make a difference in the world we live in today.

No, we would be living in caves. That is said as a challenge, not a denigration.

Dream the dream, but every dream builds on some foundation. Humanity today is in a better state than it ever has been. Your task is to build on that, to take it forward, noit to deny your inheritance.

What is YOUR great dream for mankind?

[Ixion]

And if any narrow minded dreary little inadequate mod consigns this to PD I will *personally* seek you out. This is one of the most germinal posts in KB in years. If you lackthe intellectual capacity to understand that, that is a reflection of *your* inadequacy, buggee off somewhere else, like 'Over the Teacups' and don't inflict your own stupidity on those whom you cannot understand

[Nagash]

My dream for man kind.. to build an I-pod with a 300GB hard drive! Too fit all my muzik on it.


What is YOUR great dream for mankind?

[Ixion]

It's not so great a dream. Maybe one or two years time. But, go forth and DO it,.

But , why not an iPod with UNLIMITED storeage. One that can not only store your songs, but DVDs , thoughts, even your very essence. An Ipod that could capture *you* , the being that you are , and store it for all time. Immortality!

If you are going to dream, dream MIGHTY dreams.



EDIT: I don't deal in anything less than petabytes nowdays. Gigabytes is so 20th century.

[hXc]

No, we would be living in caves. That is said as a challenge, not a denigration.

Dream the dream, but every dream builds on some foundation. Humanity today is in a better state than it ever has been. Your task is to build on that, to take it forward, noit to deny your inheritance.

What is YOUR great dream for mankind?I say don't look to the past, meaning don't copy exactly what they did in the past. Because the majority of their 'solutions' didn't work.

I do agree that you need inspiration for a dream, a foundation to base it upon.

My great dream is that the media stop controlling our lives. That the news actually becomes news again, not a twisted version of what's kind of happening in the world. That each country is a super power in it's own right. As it stands, America pretty much has control over the majority of the (western) world. And that's what I find sad. That one country, can dictate what happens anywhere. George Bush isn't the main problem either, it's the corporations which have so much control over the media, over the American government that are the problem.

I also dream of peace between countries. The problems in Africa, Asia, the Middle East etc, to be solved. The totalitarian societies to cease their control, for a revolution of everything.

Yeh, some of my dreams are far off, and I accept that. But some of them aren't. It's not hard to make just a little bit of difference in the world. If a kid asks you to sponsor them for 40hr famine, do it. If someone has a dream of helping the needy or starting a revolution, don't give them any reason to believe it's not possible. It all starts with you. One small action on your part can save one kid's life. And one kid's life, is helping all of future to come.

[skidMark]

If it was a matter of life or slow and extremely painful death, I would choose the money. And I would then spend the majority of that money on efforts to help those who need it.

The reason I say slow and extremely painful death is because death itself does not scare me. What happens or doesn't happen after death does not scare me. The only thing about death and dying that scares me is how it happens. I want it to be quick and painless, over in a second. Not slow and painful.

Yet, you ride motorbikes.

News flash bro, bike crashes are rarely a quick and painless end if that is how you end up going (i realise you are not trying to imply in this instance that this is how you would prefer to go)

I would rather go some other way though than wasting away in a rest home having somebody, look after me wipe my arse etc. Thats not living.

Skid.

[Ixion]

I say don't look to the past, meaning don't copy exactly what they did in the past. Because the majority of their 'solutions' didn't work.

I do agree that you need inspiration for a dream, a foundation to base it upon.

My great dream is that the media stop controlling our lives. That the news actually becomes news again, not a twisted version of what's kind of happening in the world. That each country is a super power in it's own right. As it stands, America pretty much has control over the majority of the (western) world. And that's what I find sad. That one country, can dictate what happens anywhere. George Bush isn't the main problem either, it's the corporations which have so much control over the media, over the American government that are the problem.

I also dream of peace between countries. The problems in Africa, Asia, the Middle East etc, to be solved. The totalitarian societies to cease their control, for a revolution of everything.

Yeh, some of my dreams are far off, and I accept that. But some of them aren't. It's not hard to make just a little bit of difference in the world. If a kid asks you to sponsor them for 40hr famine, do it. If someone has a dream of helping the needy or starting a revolution, don't give them any reason to believe it's not possible. It all starts with you. One small action on your part can save one kid's life. And one kid's life, is helping all of future to come.

I am humbled.

I don't think your dream will come to pass. But that is because I am old and cynical.

When Martin Luther King dreamed his dream , I imagine that old cynical black folk told him it would never happen.

So , if you are youff, don't listen to old nay sayers like me.

But, how is all that going to get us to the Moon? That is a serious question.

Ideals are easy to dream, but casting them into the matrix of flawed humanity is a harder task. My generation's ideal was of man spreading out to the stars . Yours has accepted a less wide ranging ambition. But , just as we argued and set out how our ideal might be achieved (alas , I fear it never will be, and my own personal dieal , to die on the soil of another planet, is impossible. Icahbod) , so must you argue for your ideal and formulate HOW it may be achieved. To be sure , you may never get there. But just setting out the journey path will change humanity in itself.

[onearmedbandit]

Wow, the guy only asked whether you'd choose the money or the moon.

[skidMark]

Wow, the guy only asked whether you'd choose the money or the moon.


It's people with brains time of night though, without the trolling we can discuss on a mature level, with those on the same intellectual wave length, a meeting of the shepards so to speak, as opposed to a grazing of the flock.

[bobsmith]

To the moon??? Fuck I don't even need the guarantee that I'll be safe. If you don't take risks what's the point of life. I'll take moon over money any day if something was to stop me going to the moon it better be heck a lot more than 1million

[onearmedbandit]

It's people with brains time of night though, without the trolling we can discuss on a mature level, with those on the same intellectual wave length, a meeting of the shepards so to speak, as opposed to a grazing of the flock.

I'll leeve you interlekshules too you're stufe then.

[skidMark]

To the moon??? Fuck I don't even need the guarantee that I'll be safe. If you don't take risks what's the point of life. I'll take moon over money any day if something was to stop me going to the moon it better be heck a lot more than 1million


What is it that makes you want to go to the moon though.

What is achived by going to a piece of space junk.

It is an adventure you would remember for a lifetime indeed, but one enjoyed alone and only once.

I can think of many ways to spend a million dollars that would not just give me an adventure, but me and all the people i care about happier more stressvfree lives, pay off my parents mortgage etc.

[Ixion]

Wow, the guy only asked whether you'd choose the money or the moon.

And if you cannot see the irony of the word "only" , you have no place here. Begone.

[onearmedbandit]

What's irony.

[skidMark]

What's irony.


Ironing, need two hands for it.

[Ixion]

What is it that makes you want to go to the moon though.

What is achived by going to a piece of space junk.

It is an adventure you would remember for a lifetime indeed, but one enjoyed alone and only once.

I can think of many ways to spend a million dollars that would not just give me an adventure, but me and all the people i care about happier more stressvfree lives, pay off my parents mortgage etc.

What is it that makes a motorcyclist want to go through a corner faster than anyone else has ever before?

The challenge. The fact that it is NOT sensible. Staying home and working for the Man and paying off the mortgage, yes that is the sensible option.

But throughout human history , there have been a few, a very few men (sorry ladies, almost never women) who have said "fuck sensible"

And done what was eminently not sensible. Whether that be trying to take that corner at 150kph (when every sensible person says it can't be done beyond 90) ; or sailing westward to go east; or travelling to the Moon (though the Moon is old hat, I listened to the first landing, I want Mars).

People ar eeither sensible and prosaic and dreary. Or, the other sort. You either hear the whisper of the siren , or you don't. Thos ewho do, are invariably derided as fools and idiots, Except the few who succeed in achieving their impossible dream.They go into the history books as heroes.

[skidMark]

What is it that makes a motorcyclist want to go through a corner faster than anyone else has ever before?

The challenge. The fact that it is NOT sensible. Staying home and working for the Man and paying off the mortgage, yes that is the sensible option.

But throughout human history , there have been a few, a very few men (sorry ladies, almost never women) who have said "fuck sensible"

And done what was eminently not sensible. Whether that be trying to take that corner at 150kph (when every sensible person says it can't be done beyond 90) ; or sailing westward to go east; or travelling to the Moon (though the Moon is old hat, I listened to the first landing, I want Mars).

People ar eeither sensible and prosaic and dreary. Or, the other sort. You either hear the whisper of the siren , or you don't. Thos ewho do, are invariably derided as fools and idiots, Except the few who succeed in achieving their impossible dream.They go into the history books as heroes.

The impossible dream, the thing many of "the flock" put in the too hard basket so to speak.

Where as for those determined enough to achieve thier own greatness, the thins that would make it impossible in the minds of most, the few see as a mere hurdle and well worth the effort to get there,

The challenge, many see chasing thier career etc as a challenge. The biggest challenge any of us can face flock, or shepherd is finding out who you are and what you want, for working and a career, is simply means to an end.

[Disco Dan]

I repose my hope in the dolphins. Perhaps when mankind is extinct they will reach the stars.

So long, and thanks for all the fish.

[awayatc]

You don't seriously believe that bullshit conspiracy do you?


Nah....Governments would never mislead anybody, especialy not the Americans...
They only do what's best for us..... Ahh nevah had sex wid dat woman..":baby:



But , why not an iPod with UNLIMITED storeage. An Ipod that could capture *you* , the being that you are , and store it for all time. Immortality.
.

I'm pretty sure it fits comfortably on the iPod as is , it's probably the shuffle feature that garbles it.......:chase:


He who can does, He who can't, teaches.......:rolleyes:

Life becomes useless and insipid when we have no longer either friends or enemies.....

My life suddenly became a bit more usefull I would guess.....:chase:

[kevfromcoro]

Ive allways wanted to go to the sun....
Someone told me it would be to hot,,,and I would burn up.
Well,,,,think i have found an answer...
Build a rocket..and go at night time

[martybabe]

This world and it's peoples live for the now and the me,I'm not sure we will ever have the will and imagination to reach beyond what we know, other than sticking an exploratory toe in the water.1969 and Apollo 11 inspired millions to look to the future and the stars and dream of a better tomorrow, it didn't come and I doubt it ever will,My dream dies with each successive war, each child that goes hungry,each power mad despot that kills people that may be a hindrance to his goals and aspirations.

We don't deserve a place among the stars until we are all that we can be.And the cosmos does not deserve mankind.

The moon is a cold harsh desolate and lonely lonely place.I can find that in the parts department at my local bike shop.

Show me the money!

[martybabe]

What's irony.

Steel is quite irony. :rolleyes:

[Bikernereid]

We have fucked up our planet and should leave the moon alone, take the cash.

[bobsmith]

What is it that makes you want to go to the moon though.

What is achived by going to a piece of space junk.

It is an adventure you would remember for a lifetime indeed, but one enjoyed alone and only once.

I'm a pilot. on top of that. I LOVE science and my lifelong fantasy dream is to become an astronaut. For one minute in space.. ............. no make that for a reasonable chance to go to space I would happily risk my life, and I know my fiancee would understand.

[bobsmith]

To further illustrate Ixion's post about sensible people.

Without those who would do the insensible for the love of science and adventure the world would not be where we are today. It is when people start an en devour that is so out of the world that it seems impossible, the technology seems to spring to life and make giant leaps for the future. Look at the example of space race. Without those astronauts risking their lives for the love of what they do in an era when space travel seems like a complete fiction we would not have seen the huge development in satellite technology that we're all enjoying today not to mention the space program was a big catalyst for computer development in the early days of electronic computers. I could go on with more examples but the point is this, without the "insensible" people who would take the leap for adventure and science our technological development would grind to a halt, and let's face it this development is what sets us different from other animals.

[Toaster]

Make it Mars and you've got a deal. The moon is so 20th century. Been there, done that. Mars, now, thats the real thing. Don't need to worry about getting back.Not got long to go anyway , be totally happy not to come back.

If you set up a drinking establishment on Mars, would you call it a Mars Bar?

[Toaster]

We have fucked up our planet and should leave the moon alone, take the cash.

Stupidly (and I do stupid well...) I voted the cash, then realised if you went to the moon instead of taking 1 million, you could make mega-millions in books and movies after the event.

The movie could be called "Toaster does the Moon".

[Maha]

If you set up a drinking establishment on Mars, would you call it a Mars Bar?


Funny you should think that, I saw a street sign the other day at Mangawhai, it read...Quail Way.
Now my first thought was, what if there were a 'station' in Quail Way?
Would it be known as the Quail Way Station???

[martybabe]

Escape velocity!!! I was told what it was at school,not why it was. I still don't know why I can't fart my way out of the earths gravitational pull.

And ,Why doesn't the moon come crashing down if the earths pull is all that?

And, if I opened a bar on mars,I'd call it marty's black hole.

And' if toaster came back from the moon with moon debris on his boots would that be cheese on toast.

And I'm going away now.too much coffee.

Show me the money or I'll MOON YOU! :shake:

[hXc]

I am humbled.

I don't think your dream will come to pass. But that is because I am old and cynical.

When Martin Luther King dreamed his dream , I imagine that old cynical black folk told him it would never happen.

So , if you are youff, don't listen to old nay sayers like me.

But, how is all that going to get us to the Moon? That is a serious question.

Ideals are easy to dream, but casting them into the matrix of flawed humanity is a harder task. My generation's ideal was of man spreading out to the stars . Yours has accepted a less wide ranging ambition. But , just as we argued and set out how our ideal might be achieved (alas , I fear it never will be, and my own personal dieal , to die on the soil of another planet, is impossible. Icahbod) , so must you argue for your ideal and formulate HOW it may be achieved. To be sure , you may never get there. But just setting out the journey path will change humanity in itself.

Even I have doubts about my dreams. I'm sick of the way that people are spoon fed everything and take anything they're given as truth. I'm sick of people just not caring about other people on this planet who have far worse problems than them, problems which will never go away unless we help. And if we don't help, what is that saying about us? Cold, heartless bastards. All of us.

I have no idea how it will get us to the moon. But once we have fixed/are beginning to fix the problems we have on our own planet, then we can think about other planets. That's how I see it anyway.

[hXc]

Wow, the guy only asked whether you'd choose the money or the moon.Yeh, and I stated my answer, neither, and why. I was taught to back up my statements with a why.


Nah....Governments would never mislead anybody, especialy not the Americans...
They only do what's best for us..... Ahh nevah had sex wid dat woman..":baby:I never said that. I know they mislead us. Just look at every election damn near any country has ever had, and tell me how many of those parties actually carry out their promises.
I was merely stating how bullshit that moon landing conspiracy is.

[RantyDave]

You are youff. You have lost the capacity to dream. When I was young, humanity was broadening its viewpoint. Now , it is narrowing it. Every year it gets narrower , less generous, less noble We can even see it here, on this site. Narrow minds, narrow ideals. The microcrosm mirrors the macrocosom , and the future of mankind may be seen in PD. Anything that is intellectually challenging is rejected.

My generation entrusted the future of mankind to your generation. Alas , you have have betrayed and abandoned that trust. We dreamed of the stars, we did not think that our descendents would be of lesser cailbre.
Also, get off my lawn.

Dave

[skidMark]

I'm a pilot. on top of that. I LOVE science and my lifelong fantasy dream is to become an astronaut. For one minute in space.. ............. no make that for a reasonable chance to go to space I would happily risk my life, and I know my fiancee would understand.


But what is it that makes people want to go?!, is it only because a handful have been there? why?

Serious question.

Whats so great about going to the moon, most only would want to go i suspect because hardly anybody else has been, those that would goto the moon, please explain what makes you want to go to the moon.

[Swoop]

Going to the moon today, is much the same as Columbus heading out into the Atlantic, or Cook popping off for a quick tour of the Pacific.

The Moon!
Think of the views, and also the duty free entitlement!

[skidMark]

Going to the moon today, is much the same as Columbus heading out into the Atlantic, or Cook popping off for a quick tour of the Pacific.

The Moon!
Think of the views, and also the duty free entitlement!


And the cheese don't forget the cheese!

http://www.wensleydale.co.uk/images/wandg.jpg

[rachprice]

I am surprised at the amount of people who chose money!
Moon all the way, It would be the most incredible view.
Money is bullshit, experiences are everything (I realise that money is often required for some experiences), I am not rich nor was my family growing up but being rich is definitely not my life long dream!
The decrease in gravity would be especially cool!

[Motu]

Oh, and Mr Motu, this is NOT an opening for you to dredge up your damn sucky-blowy hover things. They're never going to happen. They lied to us. Youff has betrayed us.

Yeah,sucky-blowy cars are just a dream - but a hoverbike,now that's real! I saw Scott and Virgil riding those things....I always wanted a hoverbike....

[Big Dave]

3 hours on a plane gives me the shits. Show me the money.

[firefighter]

You don't seriously believe that bullshit conspiracy do you?

I would choose neither. Going to the moon would not bring me happiness. Nor would $1m. We have enough problems with human nature on Earth alone, so forget taking them anywhere else. Sort the shit out here first. Sort out the poverty, the genocide, the abuse of power. Sort out the apathy and the ignorance to the problems of present day society. Don't look to the past, 'cause the past didn't work. If it did work, we wouldn't be where we are.

Look to the future, find new ways of using your intelligence (however little it may be) to make a difference in the world we live in today.

What the hell have you been smoking? unless it's funny don't write on my threads again whilst stoned please! hahahahahahahahaha :whocares::eek5:

This is a bit of fun not serious stuff......I can't actually give you a million dollars OR send you to the moon! :buggerd:

[Skyryder]

Money. It will last longer.

Skyryder

[hXc]

What the hell have you been smoking? unless it's funny don't write on my threads again whilst stoned please! hahahahahahahahaha :whocares::eek5:

This is a bit of fun not serious stuff......I can't actually give you a million dollars OR send you to the moon! :buggerd:I wasn't stoned for your information. I was just answering your question, and backing up my answer with a reason. I never said it was fun, nor serious. I just took it how I wanted to take it. Which was a person looking for what other people would do given the chance of $1m or a trip to the moon.

[bobsmith]

those that would goto the moon, please explain what makes you want to go to the moon.

Why do you want to ride a bike???

Why do you want to do anything with your life that doesn't contribute directly to earning money to feed yourself?

Just because you want to? (well for me anyway) For the adventure and self achievement! Because I can. I go out paragliding every weekend not because it benefits me in some way, but because it's fun and it brings me feeling of self achievement and because I'm doing something different. Going to space has always been my dream and I'll take any chance I can to go.

[firefighter]

But what is it that makes people want to go?!, is it only because a handful have been there? why?

Serious question.

Whats so great about going to the moon, most only would want to go i suspect because hardly anybody else has been, those that would goto the moon, please explain what makes you want to go to the moon.

I would choose the moon, so I would then know if we really have been or not, then after getting a farkin amazing trip up there on a shuttle, I'd sell my story back on earth for millions.........and if no-one wanted it you could always black-mail NASA and say that your going to say didn't go and that no ones ever been if they dont pay you out!!!!:clap: :2thumbsup I'm sure the'd throw a couply mill to shut you up, then you get both and then some......

[awayatc]

black-mail NASA and say that your going to say didn't go and that no ones ever been if they dont pay you out!!!!:clap: :2thumbsup I'm sure the'd throw a couply mill to shut you up, then you get both and then some......

Heaps of cheaper, faster en and more permanent ways to ensure silence.......:buggerd:

[firefighter]

Heaps of cheaper, faster en and more permanent ways to ensure silence.......:buggerd:

I agree, but it would look pretty suss!

[Wolf]

The moon, definitely the moon.

Though I'd want to be able to do something worthwhile while I'm there - like set up a linear accelerator to launch ships further out or something.

I agree with what the venerable Ixion was saying: far too many people are happy to sit back and achieve nothing for the races greater good - not a bad thing in itself, we can't all be heroes of the age - and then belittle those who do strive and try.

I frequent the forums at ElReg and I'm appalled at the negative comments on any article relating to the likes of Branson and Bigelow and their starry-eyed dreams for cheap transport to and from orbit and space-borne habitats.

Fuck it! If they want to aim for the stars (or at least LEO), let 'em. What is it? Some kind of jealousy from petty-minded unimaginative nobodies that prompts them to demean what they're trying to achieve? Would they rather Branson and Bigelow wasted their not-insubstantial fortunes on pointless trinkets, drugs, booze and wild parties?

Or feed starving Africans? Who'll then grow up to want electricity, food and resources that the world cannot supply because we've used up all our fuel reserves and the entire interconnected economy has collapsed.

NASA has dropped the ball - they, the ESA, the Japs and the Russians are all too busy playing Mickey Mouse Clubhouse on the ISS and fulfilling corporate contracts to put up satellites to give a fuck about innovation and truly reaching for the stars.

The cost and pollution caused by the traditional "cheap-disposable solid fuel booster" method they favour has caused many to question the necessity or wisdom of a space programme. If Branson wants to invest his fortune researching better, more effective technologies for getting a mass into space, then good on him. It's more than what NASA, ESA et al have done in the last couple of decades.

And if Bigelow wants to try to put hotels in space, good on him, too - the spin offs from his enterprise are bound to benefit us as a species.

So what if they also hope to turn a profit eventually? Big deal. If they manage to pull it off, they deserve to make money on it.

I firmly believe that if we don't start getting a decent foothold in space and don't begin harnessing the sun's abundant power directly, we, as a species, are fucked.

If NASA and the Ruskies are too busy playing corporate bum-boys or Happy Families to do it, then all power to those pioneers with the vision and the personal fortunes to make an independant stab at it.

Fuck it, if I were Super-ultra-mega rich, it's what I'd be doing.

I'm not, and so I can't - but I'm not about to demean those who can and do try.

We need more pioneers like Branson and Bigelow. The frontiers are bigger than before, it's not merely an ocean or a continent that needs to be crossed and the costs are higher than they used to be in the Age of Sail or "Africa: The Dark Continent" so we need a richer hero. We need wealthy visionaries who can say "fuck it, I'm going to build a rocket of my own."

Years from now when we're all buying electricity from Bigelow Aerospace or the Virgin Group because they have the largest foothold in space and own all the solar arrays and NASA is having to book passages on BA or Virgin rockets because they no longer have the resources to get to the clubhouse, errrr, ISS, maybe the naysayers will try to make out they were enthused by the vision all along - but I doubt it: more likely they'll just sit playing on their X-BOXes blissfully ignorant of the fact that the only reason we have a breathable atmosphere and sufficient electricity for our over-populated world and our electric transport and our X-BOXes etc is because some multi-fucking-billionaire with stars in his eyes once said "fuck crack cocaine and 13-year-old Asian virgins, I'm going to build myself a rocket and head for the stars instead."

[Swoop]

I'd sell my story back on earth for millions.........and if no-one wanted it you could always black-mail NASA and say that your going to say didn't go and that no ones ever been if they dont pay you out!!!!:clap: :2thumbsup I'm sure the'd throw a couply mill to shut you up, then you get both and then some......

The poll results confirm how society is being eaten up with greed nowadays.
Perhaps if you had given the unwashed the option of winning the Moto GP/IOM TT OR one million, you may have had a different result.
You cannot take the money with you and some fine memories whilst you sit on your rockingchair with the grandkids.

Also, how many people have enjoyed the movie "Capricorn One"? Possibly the finest "getaway chase" in aviation films.

[mstriumph]

............
You have at least the ability to cling to great ideals and ambitions despite their seeming impossibility. Which is more than can be said of the narrow minded and miserable souls who belittle you (and the dolphins)


"ah take the cash in hand and waive the rest
- nor heed the beating of a distant drum" :cool:

[mstriumph]

.......... although ---- :shutup: ---- there are a few people i'd like to SEND to the moon ..... strictly one way of course ...... :innocent:

mebbe we could have another poll option?

[Forest]

I'd take the money.

I've already been to Invercargill ... so I've got a fair idea of what the moon's surface would look like.