Ben Denno
AP Lang
Neden
29 January 2014 Synthesis Essay
To many children who see movies of space travel, film of rocket takeoffs, or even the training of astronauts, being an astronaut appears to be the obvious choice for their career. However, for most, a different, more practical reality sets in as time goes by. The unsuccessful’s see the unlikeliness of their venture, and literally find more grounded interests and pursuits. Some people remain unable to see the impracticality of their goals, and so space exploration continues to exist around the globe and in the United States, taking funds not only out of American’s pockets, but keeping those very funds out of area’s they could do good on this planet.
Space exploration is one of several things to fall under the “other” category in the U.S. federal budget, accounting for just 6 percent of the whole budget(Source C), and can often be overlooked and seen as affordable as a result. In 2008, the same year as that budget information was current, space exploration alone received 5.3 billion dollars from the federal government(Source E), all of which originated in the pockets and bank accounts of taxpaying Americans. Of course much of that goes to pay scientists, engineers, astronauts, and workers at such programs, but a large amount also goes to imported materials, creating a leakage of money out of the United States. Losing money is always a bad thing, and for a nation in huge debt, is obviously something the United States cannot afford to do.
Seemingly worse than leaking money out of the country is not spending the money where it should be spent. Disease is something that exists on our own planet, and illnesses take lives everyday. The good news is that fatality rates of serious conditions like cancers, AIDS, and strokes have fallen by 20, 70, and 11 percent respectively in the last several decades(Source D). This is largely in part due to government sponsored research and financial aid. When such evidence is apparent and funding is needed to continue these efforts, why is 5.3 billion dollars being sent off the planet? Space is dangerous not just around the planet, where humans cannot naturally survive, but is a threat on Earth when space shuttles returning to Earth present the chance of bringing foreign diseases with them(Source F).
Money is a human creation that now dictates how humans live and die on Earth. When humans can finally learn to beat all diseases, have no need for money elsewhere, and are capable of caring for their own planet, the bigger picture can be safely researched through space exploration. The solution to the ruin our planet currently remains in is not to run away and find something better elsewhere, it is to remain and fix the planet. Curiosity killed the cat, maybe because it got it sick, or maybe because it forgot to make sure it’s home was safe before venturing out, and returned to it’s collapse. Regardless, the cat dies.
AP Lang
Neden
29 January 2014 Synthesis Essay
To many children who see movies of space travel, film of rocket takeoffs, or even the training of astronauts, being an astronaut appears to be the obvious choice for their career. However, for most, a different, more practical reality sets in as time goes by. The unsuccessful’s see the unlikeliness of their venture, and literally find more grounded interests and pursuits. Some people remain unable to see the impracticality of their goals, and so space exploration continues to exist around the globe and in the United States, taking funds not only out of American’s pockets, but keeping those very funds out of area’s they could do good on this planet.
Space exploration is one of several things to fall under the “other” category in the U.S. federal budget, accounting for just 6 percent of the whole budget(Source C), and can often be overlooked and seen as affordable as a result. In 2008, the same year as that budget information was current, space exploration alone received 5.3 billion dollars from the federal government(Source E), all of which originated in the pockets and bank accounts of taxpaying Americans. Of course much of that goes to pay scientists, engineers, astronauts, and workers at such programs, but a large amount also goes to imported materials, creating a leakage of money out of the United States. Losing money is always a bad thing, and for a nation in huge debt, is obviously something the United States cannot afford to do.
Seemingly worse than leaking money out of the country is not spending the money where it should be spent. Disease is something that exists on our own planet, and illnesses take lives everyday. The good news is that fatality rates of serious conditions like cancers, AIDS, and strokes have fallen by 20, 70, and 11 percent respectively in the last several decades(Source D). This is largely in part due to government sponsored research and financial aid. When such evidence is apparent and funding is needed to continue these efforts, why is 5.3 billion dollars being sent off the planet? Space is dangerous not just around the planet, where humans cannot naturally survive, but is a threat on Earth when space shuttles returning to Earth present the chance of bringing foreign diseases with them(Source F).
Money is a human creation that now dictates how humans live and die on Earth. When humans can finally learn to beat all diseases, have no need for money elsewhere, and are capable of caring for their own planet, the bigger picture can be safely researched through space exploration. The solution to the ruin our planet currently remains in is not to run away and find something better elsewhere, it is to remain and fix the planet. Curiosity killed the cat, maybe because it got it sick, or maybe because it forgot to make sure it’s home was safe before venturing out, and returned to it’s collapse. Regardless, the cat dies.