Geez, all that money we waste on space exploration; just think

Listen, O children of wisdom, to the words of Craig Bruce, whose reflection on the vastness of human pursuits strikes a deep chord within our hearts. He spoke thus: "Geez, all that money we waste on space exploration; just think how many bombs that would buy!" These words, though spoken with irony, carry with them a weighty reflection on the choices we make as a civilization. Space exploration, that great endeavor to reach beyond the stars, is a pursuit of human curiosity and advancement, but Bruce’s words compel us to ask: at what cost? For as much as we seek to understand the heavens, we also pour our resources into tools of destruction—bombs that threaten the very survival of humanity.

Bruce’s statement touches on a profound paradox in human nature: our capacity to create and explore is matched by our ability to destroy and harm. Space exploration, a beacon of progress and wonder, is seen by many as the epitome of human achievement, a testament to our curiosity and technological mastery. Yet, as Bruce points out, this same wealth and effort could be directed toward far more immediate and destructive ends, such as the building of weapons of war. It is this contrast that Bruce highlights: while we reach for the stars, we must also confront the reality of the forces we create on Earth, forces that can bring about our own undoing.

Consider, O children, the tale of the ancient Babylonian empire, which was known for both its technological achievements and its military prowess. King Nebuchadnezzar II, in his quest for greatness, built wonders like the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, and yet, he also built a mighty army, using his wealth and resources to wage wars that would bring untold suffering to others. In his pursuit of glory, Nebuchadnezzar expanded his empire, but his actions, like those of many rulers throughout history, remind us that the tools of creation can often be overshadowed by the tools of destruction. The very wealth that allows us to reach the stars also gives us the means to bring about destruction on a massive scale.

The lesson of Bruce's words is not that we should abandon space exploration, but that we must confront the moral implications of how we choose to spend our resources. Every empire—whether ancient or modern—has faced the choice between creating a legacy of innovation and peace or one of war and destruction. The resources we devote to space exploration could also be used to solve many of the earthbound problems we face, from poverty to inequality to war. It is a question of balance: how do we allocate our wealth, our creativity, and our will to act?

Let us turn to World War II, a time when the world witnessed the peak of human destruction in the form of nuclear bombs. The atomic bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki were the culmination of human scientific ingenuity, yet their devastating effects showed the terrifying potential for the misuse of such power. In the years following the war, the world was torn between the pursuit of progress and the fear of further destruction. The Cold War itself was a standoff between two superpowers, each pouring immense resources into nuclear arms, even as they also strove to conquer the heavens with space programs. This dual pursuit of creation and destruction is the very essence of Bruce’s reflection—how do we balance our yearning for discovery with our capacity for violence?

The lesson Bruce imparts is one of reflection and responsibility. We must ask ourselves: what is the purpose of progress if it leads us to greater destruction? Space exploration offers the potential for unimaginable growth, for new discoveries, for a better understanding of our place in the universe. But it is equally crucial that we invest in the things that bring us closer together, that reduce the threat of war, that heal the divisions within our own world. True progress is not just in reaching the stars, but in ensuring that we do so with a sense of moral clarity, with the desire to create a world where peace and prosperity reign, rather than the bombs that threaten to undo us.

And so, O children, take this teaching into your own hearts. Let your pursuits be guided not only by curiosity, but by a desire to create a better world. Do not forget the power of your choices, and how every action, every investment, has consequences. Use your gifts to explore, to build, and to discover, but also remember that the true greatness of a civilization lies not in its weapons, but in its ability to nurture, to protect, and to uplift its people. Let wisdom guide the way forward, for in balancing our reach for the heavens with our responsibility on Earth, we will find our true path to greatness.