Scribd
Upload
59 views1 page

Other Planets

The document discusses the debate over government funding for the search for extraterrestrial life versus addressing pressing issues on Earth. Proponents argue that space exploration can lead to significant scientific advancements and international cooperation, while critics emphasize the need to focus on immediate problems like poverty and healthcare. The author concludes that a balanced approach is necessary, supporting both space exploration and urgent domestic needs.

Uploaded by

ปิยวัฒน์ วงศ์ทองเครือ
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
59 views1 page

Other Planets

The document discusses the debate over government funding for the search for extraterrestrial life versus addressing pressing issues on Earth. Proponents argue that space exploration can lead to significant scientific advancements and international cooperation, while critics emphasize the need to focus on immediate problems like poverty and healthcare. The author concludes that a balanced approach is necessary, supporting both space exploration and urgent domestic needs.

Uploaded by

ปิยวัฒน์ วงศ์ทองเครือ
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Some people want the government to spend money on life on other planets, however, others

think it is a waste of public money when the earth has so many problems. Discuss both views
and give your own opinion.
Some argue that governments should allocate substantial funds to the search for extraterrestrial life,
while others contend that this expenditure is unjustifiable given the myriad challenges facing
humanity on Earth. This essay will examine both perspectives before concluding that, although space
exploration offers long‑term benefits, immediate terrestrial priorities should take precedence.

Proponents of investing in the search for life beyond our planet often emphasize the potential scientific
and societal dividends. Discovering extraterrestrial microbes or, even more profoundly, intelligent
beings would revolutionize our understanding of biology, evolution, and our place in the universe.
Such breakthroughs could spur technological innovations—improvements in robotics, artificial
intelligence, and materials science—that have far‑reaching applications on Earth. Furthermore, the
pursuit of space exploration fosters international cooperation; multinational missions to Mars or
beyond can unite disparate nations under a shared scientific endeavour, promoting peace and mutual
understanding. From this viewpoint, the relatively modest fraction of national budgets devoted to
space agencies like NASA or ESA represents a forward‑looking investment in humanity’s collective
future.

Conversely, critics argue that allocating scarce public resources to extraterrestrial research is
irresponsible when pressing issues—such as poverty, inadequate healthcare, climate change, and
crumbling infrastructure—demand immediate attention. In many countries, millions suffer from
malnutrition, lack of access to clean water, and preventable diseases. Diverting funds from social
welfare programmes could exacerbate these crises, undermining social stability and economic growth.
Moreover, skeptics question the practical benefits of chasing hypothetical life forms light‑years away,
contending that the return on investment is speculative and remote, whereas investments in
education, renewable energy, and public health yield tangible, near‑term improvements in citizens’
well‑being.

In my view, while the quest for extraterrestrial life is intellectually compelling and may yield
transformative advances, it should not overshadow urgent domestic needs. Governments ought to
adopt a balanced approach: maintain a modest commitment to space science to foster innovation and
inspire future generations, but prioritise funding for critical social and environmental programmes
that directly enhance quality of life on Earth.

You might also like