Should human beings continue to pursue the exploration of outer space, or is it an exercise in futility?

Question

Should human beings continue to pursue the exploration of outer space, or is it an exercise in futility?

Answer 1

Yes, I think human beings should continue to pursue the exploration of outer space.  What we have now learned and are doing is the culmination of many years of work by the best and the brightest, not to mention the loss of lives by dedicated astronauts in their missions.  It also seems to be one area of life in which all countries work together in relative harmony for a common purpose.  People feel pride, and a common connection with the unknown when they watch a launch or shuttle landing.  Pictures from the space station are awe-inspiring and help us identify with not just our planet but the universe. It also helps us to put into proper perspective  all the conflict and craziness that divides people on Earth.  I'll leave all the research studies, discoveries, etc up to the scientists to answer.  I don't think it is an exercise in futility, but I will say that I hope with all the brilliance that goes into space exploration, we do not get too ahead of ourselves in terms of the management of space debris.  We should be applying the lessons we have learned on earth about junking up the environment.

Answer 2

Yes, but I do believe someday it will cause us alot of trouble if it hasn't already.

Answer 3

It's a waste of resources.

Answer 4

I think that we should continue to explore... but to always keep in mind that there is a lot to discover right here on earth that has the potentially to more immediately help us (ex. finding cures for diseases).

Answer 5

It is not an exercise in futility because every dollar spent in the U.S. space program was returned several times over in benifits.  Many new technologies were born or accelerated because of the space program.  Many of you who are active on answers have never been without a calculator, computer, many other devices that use microchips and miniturized circuits.  I don't think you can buy a modern radio or tv vacuum tube (not a picture tube or transmitting tube) that is made in the United States.  New tubes are still being made in the former Soviet Union.  It might be hard to find transistors that are made in the U.S.

Answer 6

Oh yes. There is so much in the universe that lies outside the grasp of the human mind, that it can only benefit us to understand more about it.

Answer 7

I completely agree with Rev.Postgrade!

Answer 8

One of my favourite movie lines was from "Contact"  Jodie Foster asked her dad if he thought there was life in space and he replied "If there isn't, its a heck of a waste of space"

Answer 9

I think we are curious by nature...we'd probably drive ourselves crazy if we didn't know! So, the fact that we have the tools to find out automatically means that we will explore....for the sake of our own sanity.