It is Pointless to “Get Ready for the Big One”

Sunday, September 05, 2010

From today’s Toronto Star :

“Canadian and American astronauts say the world needs to prepare for the big one — the asteroid impact that could one day devastate the Earth.”

I think that this is nonsense.

For a united-world-effort to save-the-world, we already have rockets that can boost tons into orbits, and explosive devices that are pretty powerful AND accurate.

But That’s Not the Point

We do not yet have a fixed date for the next close-encounter. It is probably at least 100 years away, maybe more (ask the geologists how frequently an earth-shattering meteorite slams into the earth).

One hundred years from now the technology will be different.

I don’t know what it will be, but it won’t be carbon-hydrogen fuel being burnt explosively out the tail-end of a steel cylinder.

And I am positive that 100 years from now we will have space-vehicles more numerous than earth vehicles (UK motor-cars; US: automobiles).

So any effort geared towards thinking of using today’s technology will be wasted effort.

For “pointless” read “irrational”, and for “irrational” read “insane”.

Or if you prefer “Can you say ‘Government Grant’?”.

Search