The author elaborates on it here:
Bloggingheads.tv - diavlogs
"For every dollar that's spent on NASA, we get
twenty bucks back through technology."
^^That's not a waste of money. It's a waste
not to make that investment. Even the
promotion of astronomy is crucial... and the most important way
anything pays off (not just astronomy) is in the indirect consequences (i.e. the digital camera industry he references, which was an unintended
side-effect of the Hubble project). Whatever the "direct" consequences of promoting astronomy aren't even important... what's important is the number of doors you're opening. Astronomy is just about the best investment you can make.
Quote:
|
Originally Posted by Brian
If I'm in major debt - is it the right time to go spend money traveling to all the astronomy museums because I like it and/or it may spark my child's interest? No. It's time to save money or invest in things that will save me money. Let me get out of debt, or at least in the right direction, then let's talk about it.
|
Actually, I would change your analogy a bit:
If you're in major debt - is it the right time to go spend money on an astronomy
education (college usually being a NECESSARY CONDITION for long-term success, which is what astronomy and science in general are)?
Absolutely. You can't afford not to. If you
don't make such an investment, and only think about "getting through the current situation" with a series of "quick fixes," those quick fixes are ultimately going to make things much worse for you. You're going to spend your life working at McDonald's, trying to get the bills paid because you "can't afford" to make the investment that's going to improve your quality of life.
^^"College" = "science funding"
"McDonald's" = "the quick fix"