Excuse my (mostly) incurable optimism, but could two successful private space launches in 9 days be something all Americans rally around together?
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Replying to @jimsciutto
Multi-billionaires seeking to escape a planet that is literally ravaged by systemic greed produces well-deserved cynical laughter. Optimism would be appropriate were they to do more to make things better for those here on earth.

Jul 20, 2021 · 2:24 PM UTC

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Replying to @marwilliamson
W/respect, many leveled exactly the same criticism at the moon landing in 1969. Then, the question was: why spend govt money on space when so many are suffering down here? Fair point. But does that apply to all exploration for all time? A matter of worthy debate not laughter
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I’m a huge fan of space exploration in general! It’s the billionaire boy toy element that is enraging: billionaires who could have done so much, did so little & even reaped such rewards during a time of collective agony now flaunt their fun before us & expect our congratulations.
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The Apollo and subsequent space programs have given us huge benefits, including the technology & space-infrastructure to more deeply analyze how we’re mistreating the planet, and how to mitigate the worst effects of that we’re doing.
Jeffy Appleseed, leading an effort to plant fruit trees in everyone’s front yard sounds doable.
Is it possible the scientific discovery and invention it took to get safely to and from the outer atmosphere will be harnessed to do good on earth? I think it will.
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I see dumb people that are bad with money, trying to tell smart people who are good with money how they should spend it...