May 10, 2020
EXPLORATION vs. EXPLOITATION
I started my walk thinking I would take a relaxing ramble through some of my favorite aphorisms on the subject of luck or chance. However, up popped what seemed like a ripe thought about the difference between proper human exploration and something insidious which is disguised as exploration but is really something harmful, i.e., space "exploration." One could call it the cosmic pyramid scheme of the military-industrial complex, basically a scam which keeps going by sucking in more and more chumps.
The business of space exploration is based on exploiting the false premise that it is an extension of a natural and inevitable human desire to explore the unknown. Let us pass over the question of whether this is indeed a basic human urge, impulse or need. I would dispute that, or, at least, argue about how far that urge extends. I would deny that it extends beyond the planet, other than as a manifestation of the sense of wonder. I also deny that there is any need for it or any real good coming from it. That addresses the concocted benefits that will allegedly accrue to the human race. (As if there was not enough to provide for humanity on a planet which has sustained life for millions of years.) But I leave that to the good sense of the world population as the difficulties and costs of the space fiasco make themselves known. My objection is "religious" in the sense that it goes to the basic morality of the enterprise.
I claim that exploration of space is entirely outside the proper area of activity of Homo sapiens because it severs all direct connections with nature. It is therefore in conflict with a basic tenet of LUCKISM®, i.e., that a direct relationship to natural chance and unpredictability is an essential and sacred component of life. Stated differently, the totally artificial support required by space explorations proves that it is completely distinguishable from previous natural forms of human exploration.
The distinctions are so obvious that their importance may be overlooked. When early explorers ventured on the land or seas beyond known horizons and beyond communication with their starting point, they were still connected to land and sea and air, subject to tides, weather and, of course, gravity. Although they had only a vague idea of their desired destination, there was a reasonable expectation it would have the familiar conditions needed to support life.
Space exploration is full of contrasts to healthy exploration. First and foremost, it requires that humans detach themselves from all natural connections, including, of course, overcoming the fundamental force of gravity. They must be placed in a state of life support, barely distinguishable from those who are in intensive care as a result of life-threatening disease or trauma. But it has some technical aspects which conceal its horrible artificiality. Unlike most earthly explorers, the astronauts know exactly where they are going and have good communication links with their home base. In short, we have tremendous technology covering up the basic condition of a living death and giving the illusion of connection.
This isn't the only factor contributing to the unnatural goal of space exploration.
Analyze how it is that a four-year-old child in pre-kindergarden, when asked what he or she wants to be, says, without hesitation,"An astronaut." That comes about from a saturation of the learning environment with educational material, entertainment content, toys and other material. It flows from an enormous propaganda effort, fostered by the governmental, industrial and academic entities which have a financial interest in profiting militarily and monetarily from space exploration. The entertainment industry has a parasitical participation when it produces an endless stream of products glorifying heroes and heroines in space.
I have not dealt with the unsuitability of the human body to the demands that will be placed on it in space exploration. In all probability the human body will require modifications and transformations which will lead to "explorers" eventually becoming unrecognizable as human to Homo sapiens.
That's all for now. This only begins my examination of what's wrong with space exploration. For now, I can state that, just as my belief in LUCKISM® keeps me from eating synthetic potato chips or drinking water which has been perverted by the addition of carbonation and flavorings, and further degraded by being packaged in plastic containers, I will not support space exploration or anything which promotes it. Bit by bit, we must begin to address the other nine thousand, nine hundred and ninety-seven things that may need limitation, modification or elimination.
END
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