Mastodawn

Something I have trouble explaining about space travel. Like, if you've read my book, you know I think human space faring is probably not economically valuable. It's not a good use of science dollars compared to other areas. I'm even skeptical of the case for inspiration (it doesn't seem to causally related to more aerospace degrees).

But it's also just really cool. Why don't I feel this way about Antarctica or Seabed exploration?

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Charlie Stross 3d ago

@ZachWeinersmith Antarctic exploration *was* sexy 100-150 years ago, though! We kind of remember Captain Scott's ill-fated South polar expedition, but less so the ferocious international rivalry that drove it (or Norwegian explorer Roald Amundsen who got there first and survived).

In contrast, now we have Antarctic bases, familiarity breeds … boredom?

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Rackhir

@cstross @ZachWeinersmith Exactly. Similar for undersea exploration in the 1940s to 1960s (roughly). What makes space special is its enduring and outsize role in popular culture. "Antarctic opera" or "Undersea opera" don't have the same draw as their space equivalent.