Will space travel ever become a safe mode of transportation in the year 2050?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the potential for space travel to become a safe mode of transportation by the year 2050. Participants explore the unpredictability of technological advancements and draw parallels with historical predictions about technology, while speculating on future developments in space travel and colonization.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants reflect on past technological predictions that were proven wrong, suggesting that predicting the future of space travel may also be fraught with uncertainty.
  • There is speculation about the safety of space travel, particularly in comparison to current modes of transportation, such as automobiles.
  • Participants express a desire to see significant efforts towards space colonization within their lifetimes, although they acknowledge the unpredictability of technological advancements.
  • Some argue that experts often fail to foresee the direction of technological development, citing historical examples of misjudgments by industry leaders.
  • There are discussions about the role of innovation and the emergence of new technologies that cannot be easily predicted.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the unpredictability of technological advancements and the potential for significant changes in the future. However, there is no consensus on whether space travel will become a safe mode of transportation by 2050, and opinions vary on the feasibility of space colonization.

Contextual Notes

Participants express uncertainty about the future, highlighting the limitations of current knowledge and the difficulty in imagining entirely new technologies. The discussion reflects a range of assumptions about technological progress and safety in space travel.

  • #31
I'm 36 and if any of you youngsters give me any **** I'll kick your butt and take about 15 years off your life expectancy.
 
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  • #32
i don't see how people can expect so much from the future. I'm sure a lot will change, but like, haven't we learned a lesson from history? you people are talking about expansion (colonizing space) and mechanization (even the matrix!) haven't you considered the ecological consequences there will be if the human race continues its course? we already have global warming, extinction of loads of fauna and flora, loss of natural resources, overpopulation and it seems like most people would sell their soul if the price was right. Humanity is so out of touch. Nature will balance things out, likely sooner rather than later...
 
  • #33
Gale said:
i don't see how people can expect so much from the future. I'm sure a lot will change, but like, haven't we learned a lesson from history? ... haven't you considered the ecological consequences there will be if the human race continues its course? we already have global warming, extinction of loads of fauna and flora, loss of natural resources, overpopulation
I believe we are recognizing and doing something about our impact on the ecological consequences of our present path. Those who have already advanced through economic and industrial growth, recognize and are taking steps to live in harmony with their environment. The problem is how long this social consciousness & responsibility will take on a global scale. If you haven't had a chance, check out Kaku's book Visions, he does a nice job discussing this.
 

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