The Van Nevis Chat Thread

[Predicide]

I keep trying to think of something to say of value here, as there is now the added threat of being sniped by Furious. I can't post under pressure, dammit. I'm determined not to spam, but I don't have anything to say agout the humpday or the possability of meeting a lifemate on FH, so I'm changing the subject.

TXGhost raised the queston a couple of times so let's just air it out here. How is this helping us get to the moon? Now, I know that most people would think that this question should be phrased "...get back to the moon", but there is a debate about that. I know, I know, conspiracy theory, but I have seen the evidence presented, and I'm taking the position that I wasn't there, so I don't know. But the way I see it, what does it matter now? Even if we did land on the moon, that was almost 40 years ago. We tagged the moon "it"; are we waiting for it to try to tag us now?

All the solutions to the true big-picture problems for humanity are in space exploration and, eventually, colonization. The current population growth curve, environmental destruction, resource competition, etc. And yet, the space program is all but on the back burner compared to the glory days of the 60s and 70s. I know that the immediate problems of the here and now take priority, but for God's sake, the Iraq War recieves 16 times the annual funding of NASA. The big picture isn't to be neglected. So that's why I ask, how is this helping us get to the moon?

For further reading, go here.

How's that for jump-starting a conversation?

[Cosmic Rick]

Pred. You crazy. Screw the moon. Mars! Has anybody been following the terra-forming science? I remember a plan a while back involving bacteria and water infusions... Cool stuff.

On another note. I like team SWAT. The experience comes fast, and it's teaching me not to suck so badly with the BR.


P.S. "Everyone check out my file-share for cool mapzorz!"

[Furious D 18]

Predicide, I may have to delete that thread because it's spam. This is your first warning. Ha ha, just kidding. Nice topic starter.

Holy quote-zorz. That's a lot of space quotes. I browsed quite a few, and thought that this one was appropriate since you mentioned the war in Iraq.

"War and space exploration are alternative uses of the assertive, exploratory energies that are so characteristic of human beings. They may also be mutually exclusive because if one occurs on a massive scale, the other probably will not."
Frank White, The Overview Effect, 1981

And our current technology is so inadequate for exploring the universe. We'll need to either develop much faster spacecraft or create a spacecraft that can support an entire colony for the decades it'll take to get anywhere. And then we could start talking about the theoretical "faster-than-light" spacecraft. I love astrophysics and astronomy, I just wish I was intelligent enough to understand more of it (like this String Theory I hear so much about).

[TXGhost]

Well first off, I feel this thread is a great thing. And I assume this is what you meant Furious by saying you were going to start something in Off Topic.

Anyways onto Predicide. About the whole conspiracy thing. I don't really know what to believe. It seems so silly. Why do we want to go to the moon anyways. Its cold, dark, and uninhabitable until we have better technology at our disposable. Besides the fact that we actually will need help from other nations in this project of inhabiting the moon. Which I think America will not receive because we like to start wars and have a huge ego.

Now, now I do not want to ramble on about this, but, I do not feel that America is a bad country. But I am saying we feel like we are elite to everyone else. Don't say not me, because I feel elite to others, it is a human thing to feel superior.

But onto conspiracies in general. There are many out there. But I will not post my views on some just do to the fact I do not want to start a flame war, or have a debate here in such a civilized thread. There is a debate thread for debating.

Well onto the whole marriage in a forum thing. I was watching American Idol. Earlier this season American Idol viewers found out that two American Idol Forums posters hooked up and found each other in a city. They are in love.

To many this may seem weird, but this is, I feel, the natural course for humanity. No not getting married on the internet, but communication, and interaction on the internet. With people across the world, or people who live 5 miles away from you.

And to conclude. Bungie sucks, Forge Hub rules. Thank you Peguinish for the live feed. Was great to witness Forge Hub history in one of its most glorious moments, with many more to come in the future.

[Predicide]

There's quite a few really good ones in there. I've actually got a print out here somewhere with the ones I like highlighted, mabye I'll throw out a few of them. Anyway, if you read through for a bit, the idea of self-sustainability is brought up quite a bit. That's kind of the threshold we need to cross first. But that would require an entire ecosystem to be established off of Earth somehow... what a hurdle.

Teraforming is so interesting on paper, but it sure seems... invasive. Any Invader Zim fans? The concept of teraforming reminds me of the Irkin Empire, designating every planet they conquer. That's the food court planet, that's the parking lot planet, that's the convention center planet...

[TXGhost]

My new favorite show is the first Star Trek Series. I have been getting very into it. My friends think I am a very huge nerd. Hell I don't care, but what really interests me is that we could actually do that some day. Be in space exploring the universe.

But what intrigues me more is the ocean. How scary it is, and how open it is. Why are we trying to build up. I have always pictured a, well Rapture-esque society, well without the plasmids. A Utopia under water. Bioshock isn't what made me dream of an underwater civilization. I just think it would be great for mankind to make the jump from land-dwelling to ocean-dwelling creatures. No, not grow fins and become mermaids, but to just have buildings, and live under water. I don't know this has always interested me.

[Predicide]

That's backwards progress, merman. Our destiny is with the stars!!!

[Cosmic Rick]

Pred: Invader Zim was a piece of underrated genius. Something about that show struck a chord with me.

Furious: I know physicists... (or future ones, anyway) Nobody understands string theory. Don't feel left out.

Ghost: I don't really hate you. I hope you know that.

Anybody in here appreciate poetry? I think I'm gonna 'expose my soul' a bit over in off-topic. Also, I want to hear one life-defining event from each of you. Even you, Mike.

...wow... what a disparate post.

[TXGhost]

I feel like if we haven't even gotten to know our own planet. Than we will have a Disastrous future in the stars. Of course our future belongs in the deep regions of space, but not yet. We need to know what makes our planet tick and tock. How would we even begin to handle what is happening in space if we do not.

PS: I know you don't, Mr. Rick.

[Furious D 18]

Originally Posted by TXGhost

Of course our future belongs in the deep regions of space, but not yet.

Yes but I think the point is that if we don't start working toward that goal now, we won't get done by the time that space exploration becomes a necessity. We'll need massive leaps in technology if we're going to be successful, and those types of advancements take time.

Right now, it could be argued that we have spare resources to spend on this. But in the future, all our resources may be needed just to maintain survival.

And Rick, I'll try to come up with some life-defining things for you. There are just so many.

And thanks to everyone for making this thread more than I hoped for. Keep it up. I can't wait until we get squidhands and Neverless into this too. And anyone else who wants to join in.