Spring Break
Fear of unknown should not hinder exploration
Scott Conover
Issue date: 3/31/09 Section: Forum
Since there are a few people who argue against space exploration with erudite reason, it would seem that many people oppose space exploration on entirely irrational grounds. From reasons ranging from "It doesn't make sense" to "I don't see how it could work" to "It's just stupid," it would seem that many people do not draw from their intellects when examining the possible benefits of space exploration.
To ignore or to dismiss the possibilities of space exploration and settlement is irrational, without due cause and similar to the fear of the unknown. This inability to overcome the fear of the unknown and see the possibilities can be best described as a lack of vision.
However, this irrationality can be broken down into three key components: a lack of knowledge, a lack of understanding and unwillingness to embrace the new.
Perhaps the strongest force affecting the perceptions of people - regarding space exploration and settlement - is the lack of understanding on their part. Many people have no conception of basic physics, the mineral composition of many asteroids or even how space settlement may work. In many cases, people who oppose space exploration but who do not appear able to articulate them clearly simply have no rational reasons to oppose it.
Of course, this would not signify that their arguments are automatically incorrect - far from it, in fact. But it does mean that anyone who is unable to articulate his or her argument clearly and with reasoning must rely on irrational feelings, emotions and improvable evidence. This can give the impression of ignorance, but usually such people are trying to justify what they feel are valid assumptions.
A lack of knowledge is another very strong force affecting many people. Many of these same people have an advanced grasp on subjects such as medical science, history, liberal arts, law and a variety of other concepts steeped in lore; however, such people often try to express an opinion on an unrelated subject such as space exploration with the same expert power that they possess in their focuses of interest.
To ignore or to dismiss the possibilities of space exploration and settlement is irrational, without due cause and similar to the fear of the unknown. This inability to overcome the fear of the unknown and see the possibilities can be best described as a lack of vision.
However, this irrationality can be broken down into three key components: a lack of knowledge, a lack of understanding and unwillingness to embrace the new.
Perhaps the strongest force affecting the perceptions of people - regarding space exploration and settlement - is the lack of understanding on their part. Many people have no conception of basic physics, the mineral composition of many asteroids or even how space settlement may work. In many cases, people who oppose space exploration but who do not appear able to articulate them clearly simply have no rational reasons to oppose it.
Of course, this would not signify that their arguments are automatically incorrect - far from it, in fact. But it does mean that anyone who is unable to articulate his or her argument clearly and with reasoning must rely on irrational feelings, emotions and improvable evidence. This can give the impression of ignorance, but usually such people are trying to justify what they feel are valid assumptions.
A lack of knowledge is another very strong force affecting many people. Many of these same people have an advanced grasp on subjects such as medical science, history, liberal arts, law and a variety of other concepts steeped in lore; however, such people often try to express an opinion on an unrelated subject such as space exploration with the same expert power that they possess in their focuses of interest.
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