100 Year Starship: Our Commitment to Deep Time

The New Hundred Year Starship program, sponsored by DARPA and NASA Ames, has very little money, but big idea appeal. Many people are tired of the near-term thinking that has prevailed lately. The notion of deep time, our innovation and commitment to our grandchildren must again be on the agenda.

David Brin's books include The Postman, Startide Rising,and The Uplift War, as well as his non-fiction work, The Transparent Society, dealing with issues of privacy and secrecy. For more information about David Brin, visit his website: http://www.davidbrin.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/DavidBrin
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AUTHORDAVIDBRIN

• Category

  People & Blogs

[Tom Parsons]

I don't think that Brin misunderstands much, Mr Lee. He's one of a very few authors I rate as being *at least* as smart and knowledgeable as I am, and of course an incomparably better writer.

His broad knowledge and idealism shine through his novels, and this video is another push for a better future, against the dystopia so often imagined.

That better future requires that we mobilize today's resources optimally: minimize strife and waste, educate everyone, add to knowledge. We *can* do it.

[AntiMatter3000]

if it wasn't for this agency you realize there would be no internet?

[John C. 'Buck' Field]

Investment in a magnificent accomplishment like this? Sure!

Regrettably, support for starship tech 100YSS was doomed early in initiation. Ideological bias was the first warning sign, with documents showing disagreement about the vision of success for the project, The team was begged to follow good project management, acknowledge risk indicators & make corrections. "No matter what" it was said, no changes to the course at that time would be considered.

Can it be saved now? Very unlikely.

[Matthew Clay]

I agree with all my heart... in a way. But, that 8% we spend on military does help protect the world. I think they should cut a little. But, America has already set it's self up as the police of the world, which while I don't think we should have done that we did. Now a hundred countries depend on us if they were to go to war. We may not send men, but we can send tech that they can't even work without us. I agree, but I don't agree.

[Pastor Gabe]

if not for defense humanity has no future, but I am open to debating if DARPA and the Pentagon truly fit the definition of defense agencies.

[scojo787]

Yes it is because explorers we are.

[zoebiflap]

A defense agency should *NEVER* get a say in humanity's future

[Fulmarmusic]

Being a "conspiracy nut", i'd like to play devil's advocate, and suggest DARPA have put the program in place to IMPEDE interstellar travel.

Why don't they make 90% of the troops redundant, let them all get real jobs, then scrap 90% of the military budget, stop invading countries that don't like merican jocks and then spend all that money on getting me away from this insane heirachy.

I'd say thank you, thank you very much. Until then FU DARPA

[rohrichjw]

Great video. Thanks You Tube, Mr. Brin, DARPA and NASA.

[Harry Wojahn]

I think this is a great idea as well. Our planet will not be around much longer and we need to start planning ahead in case of global disaster. I would give anything to visit mars and the moon. i think that would be awesome. well at least the Moon. anything is possible. I say that Mankind needs to start now before it is too late. Because NASA's deep space radar budget is not that good and if they don't detect a rogue asteroid in time i can guarantee it will not end good like on Armageddon.

[keplerspaceunversity]

This is incredible, great!