I watched the live webcast earlier tonight & I'm amazed by this. By all accounts all aspects of this launch & delivery were a huge success. Fast forward to the 26 minute mark (although the entire video is worth watching.)
Nothing Short of Amazing - Space X Landing
- Thread starter wisemaniac
- Start date
Much greater accomplishment than that Bozo Bezos. This is truly amazing stuff. Having visionaries like Musk to take some of the advancement space technology out of the hands of our government is a positive step forward. I was disappointed with NDGTs criticism as well. I like Neil and I understand his point (that private sector space advancement will be limited by lack of profit), but what Musk is doing is the stuff that moves the science needle forward.
One of the engineers I used to work under & I were trading texts last night after the launch & he said he wishes Musk would run for office. I told him I feel like guys like Musk & Gates can do far more from the private sector (getting results & also lobbying) than if they were actual cogs in the machine. Could you imagine how frustrated Musk would be dealing with politicians all day long?
And I hadn't seen the NDGT criticism yet but ask me if I'm surprised. At all. I clearly concede to his intelligence but come on, what was achieved last night was epic (I'm guessing it was new criticism). Like, actually an epic achievement. At least try to enjoy it.
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NDGT wasn't really downing the achievement. He was basically saying that raising money through private enterprise with a high risk/no return mission was a "delusion". Here's an excerpt from an article...
One, it is very expensive. Two, it is very dangerous to do it first. Three, there is essentially no return on that investment that you’ve put in for having done it first.” (Source: Ibid.)
Tyson brings up the proverbial elephant in the room. The cost of a manned mission to Mars is beyond exorbitant, not only because of the actual amount of dollars involved, but there are huge risks involved, too. As for the all important return on investment that investors, public or private, will expect, Tyson says there is none: “If you’re going to bring in investors or venture capitalists and say, ‘Hey, I have an idea, I want to put the first humans on Mars.’ They’ll ask, ‘How much will it cost?’ You say, ‘A lot.’ They’ll ask, ‘Is it dangerous?’ You’ll say, ‘Yes, people will probably die.’ They’ll ask, ‘What’s the return on investment?’ and you’ll say ‘Probably nothing, initially.’ It’s a five-minute meeting.” (Source: Ibid.)
As Tyson points out, corporations have business models and they are bound to the needs of shareholders.
Here's the article...
http://www.profitconfidential.com/n...-calling-elon-musks-spacex-dreams-a-delusion/
One, it is very expensive. Two, it is very dangerous to do it first. Three, there is essentially no return on that investment that you’ve put in for having done it first.” (Source: Ibid.)
Tyson brings up the proverbial elephant in the room. The cost of a manned mission to Mars is beyond exorbitant, not only because of the actual amount of dollars involved, but there are huge risks involved, too. As for the all important return on investment that investors, public or private, will expect, Tyson says there is none: “If you’re going to bring in investors or venture capitalists and say, ‘Hey, I have an idea, I want to put the first humans on Mars.’ They’ll ask, ‘How much will it cost?’ You say, ‘A lot.’ They’ll ask, ‘Is it dangerous?’ You’ll say, ‘Yes, people will probably die.’ They’ll ask, ‘What’s the return on investment?’ and you’ll say ‘Probably nothing, initially.’ It’s a five-minute meeting.” (Source: Ibid.)
As Tyson points out, corporations have business models and they are bound to the needs of shareholders.
Here's the article...
http://www.profitconfidential.com/n...-calling-elon-musks-spacex-dreams-a-delusion/
I agree with quite a lot of what Tyson is saying - once someone dies in a capitalist vs government endeavor, the PR tends to be quite the problem. It will quickly go from "efficient space transit" to "giant death rocket backpack" in the eyes of investors. Even though I don't care for Tyson's dickish personality, the guy clearly knows more than I do. However, I also recognize Musk's genius & business acumen. From what I've read about Musk's plans, they seem a little more broad than Tyson seems to be indicating. If I had a million to invest & could only give it to one of the two guys, I'd gladly give it to the guy who is actually creating products & helping mankind (Musk giving up his patents was insane but inspiring) over the guy who seems to exist only to be a dick on talk shows & fire off snarky tweets about pop culture.
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