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Ten billion Dollars? In that context it is not much money. I am amazed by this picture. I am amazed by the thought that each dot, smear and smudge is an entire galaxy with billions of billions of stars. It is probable that a seeking eye looks from there in our direction and thinks the same. Thinks how utterly beautiful this world is. Exploring our surroundings, our world is our nature. Human beings are made for that. That Telescope is the ultimate Exclamation mark, stating our nature.
It would not take much money at all to fix the worlds problems if we would just treat other people like we treat our friends and family that we actually care about.
Well, space exploration might cost a lot, but so do a lot of other things.
For example, the American military budget is 778 billion, a 14% increase compared to 5 years ago. I seriously question if that is necessary and not merely a way to make weapon manufacturers like Lockheed Martin and Raytheon even more profit.
Scientific research and exploration doesn't always have a clear direct purpose besides knowing. But you never know when you can use that knowledge in some way.
For example; maybe there is no application if a group of scientists study certain reactions of fungus on plants. But maybe a certain enzyme that just happened to be discovered during this study can be a vital component in a medicine in five years.
Who knows if a discovery about dark matter is made which enables us to understand what it exactly is and how to use it in the future.
And let's not forgot people are already on trying to solve different problems on our planet.
Everyone has their own areas of passion and expertise where they put their efforts in.
A better way to deal with your frustration, which I can understand, is not to criticize what others think is important and do but to put your effort in what you think is important to solve.
After all, some people think solving the pollution problem is the greatest threat for humanity while others may see solving the misunderstandings between people as more vital in creating a better world.
But if both are allowed to do their thing, both will make all our lives better.
I didn't really read that as criticizing what others think but simply suggesting that the massive amount of money could be spent on things that will help people today not might help people someday. And yes you are right the US military budget is far larger and the majority of the money goes to just a few companies and their probably already wealthy share holders. For your comment about pollution vs understanding between people those are both very good goals but studying distant stars isn't likely to have much positive effect on them. In fact space studies add to the pollution with each launch.
Just my take on this whole discussion.
I'm just impressed that this is an actual intelligent conversation that some troll hasn't ruined by insulting someone already!
By sitting on a speaker cabinet?
Can't the man afford a couch?
F the environment!