I will also add that, as taraf and HELLFIRE just mentioned, there are similarities to the old project infamously dubbed “Star Wars” . While I don’t think we poured any money into that one, the article @HELLFIRE linked points out that it didn’t work, either:
Space-based weapons were a particularly key element of the Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI), infamously dubbed “Star Wars” by its critics, and which never came close to achieving its ambitious goals.
I had read about it, but I convinced myself that reason prevailed, and nobody threw money at it.
As expected, the article points out that the Space X companies are expected to be among the beneficiaries of this initiative, getting development money, and probably being one of the only launch contractors. Of course, if the plan is to waste billions the United States doesn’t have.
If it wasn’t already clear, I am very much against this; both the project itself, and our participation in it. It’s something I keep bringing up in family debates: if only humans were truly smart, we would put all of this nonsense behind us. Imagine what we might be able to accomplish if we were to put all of the resources and energy that we waste on destructive activities into things that improve the human and global conditions; to truly collaborate as one race!
It’s no surprise that we haven’t come anywhere close to actually experiencing first contact with extra-terrestrial life. If any were to come our way, they would observe these destructive, warring, disagreeable dumbbells, and leave the solar system at maximum speed, never to return.
Edited
Posting had minor political references by name and was Flagged
Substituted equivalent Generic terms instead to salvage a fine posting
