To not understand why we can afford to send Tim Peake into space whilst we are cutting essential services for UK citizens?

[Destinysdaughter]

Just that really. I don't get it. Apparently we have no money for the NHS, police, care for the elderly etc but we can blow a shed load of money on this? Think the Gvt's priorities are skewed really badly. I have nothing against space exploration but surely basic needs should be met first? Or am I just naive...?

That's a fantastic list !!! I'm reading it to the older children at breakfast !

"Op has gone I think.... Prob a bit embarassed at her ott thread"

I think (and it is just a guess, so apologies in advance if totally wrong) that this was meant to be yet another 'two minutes hate' thread.

But as posters know a) there's a lead time for this, and the spending pledges were made by Labour, and b) it's not a useless thing to be doing, then that stood no chance of running that way.

This is just the NASA tech spinoffs, but pretty amazing: en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/NASA_spin-off_technologies

I have to say, I have learnt something from this thread. And as a civilized society it is just as important to invest in the future as the present.

We would not be having this internet conversation if it was not for scientists. We are dependent on satelites to relay our communications.

As an aside we would not have the internet if it was not for CERN. No one expected smashing atoms in Swizerland to result in the in the internet. In the same way space programmes have unexpected spin offs.

Someitmes the human race needs to push the frontiers of knowledge and courage. The homeless, hungry and the NHS will always be with us unless we attempt something really radical.

Lets get this right. I hope that the nhs is always with us, but illness does not always have to be with us.

Also, Thomas and Oliver Peake may just be able to write most impressive 'Back to School' update ever.

"What was the most fun thing you've done this week?"

"I watched Daddy blast off in a space rocket to the I.S.S"

YANBU

Austerity is a chosen evil perpetrated by a government intent on destroying social insurance.

I support the space programme, but I think if you support it and also think it is right to dismantle the welfare state you are stupid and a cunt.

poster BathtimeFunkster

Anyone who think someone is a cunt for their political beliefs is illmannered and anyone who be lives someone is stupid because they don't have the same political beliefs is very patronising

God, people are being really unpleasant on this thread. Frankly I dont think we're putting our money in the right places either - how about we try to solve some of the problems on earth like human greeed and the unequal spread of resources? That would improve lives for so many people, not just the relatively rich who have access to any newly discovered medical treatments or whatever else.

As for the comment about art therapy in hospitals - that is disgusting. I'm someone who is incapacitated with the after effects of trauma, my life is devastated, yet I cannot get treatment because services have been cut. YOU are clearly the ignorant one if you think MH services are wasting money!

There may well be benefits to space exploration for everyone, but the attitudes on this thread suggest only the selfish and inconsiderate think it's a good idea!

Oh and Tamponlady "god I thought I was uneducated"

You do come across that way due to complete lack of punctuation.

And your inability to be pleasant or politely explain to OP if you disagree. I wouldn't have picked you up on the first point were it not for the second...

Tamponlady Anyone who think someone is a cunt for their political beliefs is illmannered
Ha! From the poster calling another "an arse" for disagreeing!

I really hope you end up in need of welfare benefits, or the NHS, and discover then what the cuts really mean. Only way people like you learn.

Anyway, suspect you are an under bridge-dweller (no-one can really be so ridiculous?), so I bid you farewell.

People like me.....?

I hope you end up on welfare nice just nice

And or course you would it's a very well known fact on here when one can't argue effectively on the point attack

Spelling a punctuation this is a very well known attempt to shut down discussion

Element are you on glue? Tamponlady has posted many incredibly interesting and knowledgeable facts on this thread. The OP was incredibly rude to her, and others who were trying to explain the benefits, and deserved to be called an arse, which is pretty mild compared to being called a cunt and wishing they end up of benefits and in bad health.

I really hope you end up in need of welfare benefits, or the NHS, and discover then what the cuts really mean. Only way people like you learn.

Is this how people really think?

Niiice.

People who think that welfare isn't important will never understand why it matters until they end up in need of it. If it helps, I'd rather they changed their mind in nicer circumstances, but that usually doesn't happen.

The OP really wasn't rude to Tamponlady unless I have missed a post somewhere (?). Whereas Tamponlady was agressive and rude in her posting from the start, as well as utterly dismissive of the OP's concerns. She did not explain nicely or politely, so why does she expect that back?

Spelling a punctuation this is a very well known attempt to shut down discussion
Being rude and aggressive is also used to shut down discussion. Which you have done from the start. My posts would have been a lot politer if you had been willing to consider or discuss another view. And still, you haven't addressed any of the points I've made.

It just strikes me as a bit odd someone implying another poster is stupid when they can't use punctuation themselves. It may not be stupidity, of course - possibly poor education. Perhaps we should fund that instead of the space program? Or perhaps you can concede we could fund both?

Should our entire budget be spent on the nhs or the poor? If we are going to have a welfare state then we need an economy to pay for it all. Whether you like or not we need to pander the rich to develop an ecomony that can support the disabled.

There are different attitudes to the poor from different sections of society. In the past nobles used religion to persuade the poor to accept their lot. Karl Marx persauded the poor to rise up against the rich rulers and overthrow them. Science attempts to do away with the problems of the poor by eradicating illness, famine, disablity, lack of communications and access to education.

A space programme and science research in general is the long term way to get rid of the problems that aflict humanity. Sadly science is also used for war. but that is another thread.

Christ you're rude element. I've really enjoyed Tampons illuminating posts.

I agree with a pp, the OP was hoping for an anti government pile in. I'm thrilled it hasnt gone that way (mainly)

Great thread

My favourite bit about the media coverage in the last couple of days is whenever the purpose of the mission comes up the answer is always to "do science". It's such a dry turn of phrase, I wish they'd give us a bit more colour about what the astronauts are actually working on.

Anyway - I fully support our contribution to ESA, and I am really pleased a British astronaut got chosen and we really enjoyed watching all of the coverage yesterday.

My 3 year old briefly toyed with the idea of being an astronaut, but then decided that no, she still definitely wants to be Wonder Woman when she grows up.

Because the op ignored all the useful inventions and went on about the trivial inventions as if hart surgey and clearing land minds are not important

Helmet Is this how people really think?

Niiice.

Yet it's ok for people to want to cut welfare and the NHS so people like me get no treatment and/or have nothing to live on? Why is that acceptable? Genuinely confused.

I'd rather everyone was happy and healthy tbh but people who are happy to cut essential care/suport/treatment for others will never give a shit until it happens to them.

ReallyTired Aha - actual reasoned discussion! I'm not sure about the pandering to the rich thing - would rather overthrow them tbh. Not sure if that's doable though...

A space programme and science research in general is the long term way to get rid of the problems that aflict humanity.

I see where you're coming from, in terms of famine and so on. However, I'd argue that there's other massive issues that come down to social stuff/greed etc. So eg. if we had enough food/water (don't we already?) would it be shared out or would there still be a load of people starving? So whilst science can help, it's not the full solution.