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From: BON@JPL-ROBOTICS.ARPA
Newsgroups: net.space
Subject: RE: The Government in Space
Message-ID: <12493@sri-arpa.UUCP>
Date: Wed, 15-Aug-84 19:25:00 EDT
Article-I.D.: sri-arpa.12493
Posted: Wed Aug 15 19:25:00 1984
Date-Received: Sat, 18-Aug-84 01:14:18 EDT
Lines: 30

From:  Bruce Bon 

There is at least some truth in what JoSH says regarding the "quick-buck"
theory of government.

I believe that the current Earth-bound status quo is metastable -- i.e.
it will take a fairly big push to overcome the status quo, but after
that then the settlement of space will come naturally, inevitably.  My
most optimistic estimate of the push required amounts to at least
$100 billion!  I don't see the necessary funds coming forth from the
private sector under any reasonable scenario within the next 50 years.

Part of the consequence of this assessment (which I hope is pessimistic!)
is that if I am to see the settlement of space, the government must do
it!  Since what happens after I die has little meaning to me, I will
use the "quick-buck" theory to get what I want -- I am selfish!!

Beyond my own selfishness, there is a serious possibility that before
we can expand into space, we (the human race) will obliterate our ability
to do so.  For this reason, I really do believe that the "public good"
and my personal gain coincide.

If I could live a thousand years and was assured that World War III
would not occur, I probably would agree with JoSH's conclusion.  Since
neither is necessarily true, I will continue to support government
funding for space development.

					Bruce Bon
					Bon@JPL-Robotics
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