Is there some value that I'm missing in this? Why does any care that some rich guy made a balloon to take him up 60K ft? Is there some practical application that he is trying to improve this technology for? Or, is he just trying to pump his own ego?
I don't know. What's the point of plugging in 1000 Linux computers together? What's the point of lighting in PC's? What's the point of MySQL? What's the point of the iPod? This, at least, was a scientific/engineering achievement.
Why does someone always come up with this argument? I think it's very much possible that he's doing it because he's passionate about ballooning and may get some enjoyment out of setting a record. In the same way that people climb mountains, cycle around the world or collect belly button fluff [feargod.net] there doesn't need to be a practical application or technology to be improved behind every human endeavour.
This argument usually comes from people who aren't passionate about anything. It must be exhausting to sit at home every day laughing at and criticizing other people who are out there living life.
Is there some value that I'm missing in this? Why does any care that some rich guy made a balloon to take him up 60K ft? Is there some practical application that he is trying to improve this technology for? Or, is he just trying to pump his own ego?
The point is this: People dream and desire to do things. Projects like this fill some with wonder, others with hope. It's the human experience.
Some little girl may hear of this and get interested in science. Some little boy could decide to become a pilot. Some person with power/money might decide to fund more research projects. Some whiney bitch on a message board may say WTF?
If all we needed out of life was immediate value, we would still be hunter/gatherers
What's the point? (Score:1, Insightful)
Why does this get reported everywhere / anywhere?
Re:What's the point? (Score:4, Informative)
Re:What's the point? (Score:2, Informative)
Cost-effective way to solve some highly-parallelizable computing problems.
What's the point of MySQL?
Open-source, easy to use database. Well integrated with PHP for web applications.
What's the point of the iPod?
Attractive, easy-to-use, portable music player. Integrates well with ITMS.
What's the point of lighting in PC's?
I'm still trying to figure this one out.
Re:What's the point? (Score:4, Insightful)
Re:What's the point? (Score:5, Insightful)
This argument usually comes from people who aren't passionate about anything. It must be exhausting to sit at home every day laughing at and criticizing other people who are out there living life.
Re:What's the point? (Score:2)
I mean, thats cool that he's setting a balloon flight record, but what does the fact that he has lots of money have to do anything?
Its like.....oh look, I'm doing this incredibly cool thing, and by the way did you know I'm filthy rich?!
Re:What's the point? (Score:2)
Why don't you understand? I don't get it.
Re:What's the point? (Score:1)
People dream and desire to do things.
Projects like this fill some with wonder, others with hope.
It's the human experience.
Some little girl may hear of this and get interested in science.
Some little boy could decide to become a pilot.
Some person with power/money might decide to fund more research projects.
Some whiney bitch on a message board may say WTF?
If all we needed out of life was immediate value, we would still be hunter/gatherers