Space vs. butter

In order to win the political battle of the budget, space exploration has to perennially out-compete hunger, terrorism, disease and infirmity. The high profile of space exploration is a two-edged sword in this battle because the technological leadership inherent in space exploration is counterbalanced by the perception of conspicuous consumption. The arguments that the next $100 billion spent on space would be better spent on something else are rhetorically effective, but logically empty.

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