Comments on: Debating space

By: Rigar

Rigar — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 09:43:56 +0000

I think there is more than just the exploration of space. There is a educational part, for our children, to get excited about science. In the early 70′s, I got turned on by science, through the N.A.S.A. programs. Not just Astronomy and Space just science in general. So the money that we spend on exploration and what we learn, also helps get young minds excited about science, That is a good thing and well worth the money. Maybe we might learn something as well. We have a lot to learn

By: Stan

Stan — Sun, 16 Oct 2011 12:01:39 +0000

I like John Wyndham’s phrase for the exploratory instinct: The Outward Urge. It’s also the title of one of his books, about interplanetary travel and how it’s influenced by earth-based politics.

By: Rum and Reason » Where now, NASA? | Bad Astronomy

Rum and Reason » Where now, NASA? | Bad Astronomy — Mon, 04 Jul 2011 20:00:32 +0000

[...] for my other articles on this, I listed and linked to them in a recent post about debating space exploration. My opinion changes here and there over time as more data come in, but I think you’ll get a [...]

By: ThoughtCriminal

ThoughtCriminal — Fri, 03 Jun 2011 04:51:06 +0000

This was also a topic for college (NDT) debate back in the early 80′s. We had a rather successful case for developing a Space Watch program for detecting hazardous asteroids and comets. There had not been much attention on the subject at that time.

By: John EB Good

John EB Good — Wed, 18 May 2011 14:07:43 +0000

I would add ex-shuttle flight director Wayne Hale’s speech he gave to NASA people (though he would have made a better case giving it to the American People) to your list of suggested readings for the would-be-debater:

http://blogs.nasa.gov/cm/blog/waynehalesblog/posts/post_1245126299184.html

Well, except if it gives them too easy a debater’s kill shot and these young fellows end up learning nothing over what’s a debate.

(May I tell you I had a lot of fun convincing someone in college that God didn’t exist, then, convince him back He did, then, once he was sure He existed, to turn him back to the Dark Side? What a great memory from my youth! If unhelpfull for society, it’s sure a great intellectual form of entertainment. There are so few nowadays.)

By: Debating space | Bad Astronomy

Debating space | Bad Astronomy — Wed, 18 May 2011 12:14:11 +0000

[...] more on Discover Posted in Forensics | Tagged Astronomy, Debating, [...]

By: frankenstein monster

frankenstein monster — Wed, 18 May 2011 10:48:14 +0000

I fixed it for you :

A good ~~debator~~ demagogue can attack the unasailable and defend the indefensable.

What is the point of training demagogues is beyond me, though.

By: Quiet Desperation

Quiet Desperation — Wed, 18 May 2011 02:03:18 +0000

And we have liftoff! There’s it goes! Oh noes! It hit the debt limit!

Duane Says: Working for AIAA…

Hey, how’s that outfit doing these days? They published a paper of mine about 10 years ago.

By: VinceRN

VinceRN — Wed, 18 May 2011 00:07:20 +0000

@29 BobApril – the purpose is not to accept or reject a resolution, it is to learn argumentation. They learn to attack or defend a position regardless of their personal opinion. A good debator can attack the unasailable and defend the indefensable.

By: Joseph G

Joseph G — Tue, 17 May 2011 22:11:47 +0000

@ Kirk and Dan: Thanks. That makes a lot of sense.
I’ve always wanted to try my hand at debate (formally, that is).
A question for the NFL members and other folks who’ve taken debate as a subject, though – is the ultimate purpose of debate to convince others, or is there a more subtle goal that I’m not catching?
If we’ve learned anything from watching politics unfold, it’s that a logically sound and fact-based argument can get trounced by appeal to emotion and careful framing, sometimes quite easily.