Comment by palata

4 days ago

> Are you arguing the Moon programs didn’t increase American engagement in STEM?

Nope. You are arguing that without a space program, people don't go into STEM and instead become "bureaucrats or financiers". I am saying that this is preposterous.

> We’re willing, as a society, to spend big on the Moon.

No. Society doesn't have a say in how that money is being spent, that's my original point.

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palata

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JumpCrisscross  4 days ago

> You are arguing that without a space program, people don't go into STEM and instead become "bureaucrats or financiers"

I never used such hyperbole. I’m arguing fewer people go into STEM. And the people who do cannot be assumed to work on the projects that matter to you.

> Society doesn't have a say in how that money is being spent

Of course we do. Space programmes are popular. That’s why they get funded.

  • palata  4 days ago

    > And the people who do cannot be assumed to work on the projects that matter to you.

    That's the case with or without a space program that sends humans to space for the sake of sending humans to space.

    > Space programmes are popular. That’s why they get funded.

    Space programs are popular because they are cool. The people don't get to vote the budgets, though. Because DOGE did not cut the budget of the space programs does not mean that "society is willing to spend big on the Moon". At all.