Aesthetics of Exploration

If you need a reason why the space program is a worthy cause, (rather than "feeding people", for example) here is exhibit A.



Space exploration, like science, is art. Whatever the cost of the Hubble, it's results are much more aesthetically profound than anything Hollywood has made in recent memory.

If we get new foam rubber, or astronaut ice cream, or nanotech from NASA, that's cool too. But as long as they keep producing these amazing videos AND GIVING THEM AWAY FOR FREE, UNRESTRICTED USE TO ANY PERSON ON EARTH, they can keep using tax money as far as I'm concerned.

Hollywood, on the other hand, should probably give all the money they would have spent on the next new teen buddy picture to their Darfur campaign.

[video discovered courtesy of the always excellent Posthuman Blues]