New York Times on the Web Forums Science

Missile Defense

Technology has always found its greatest consumer in a nation's war and defense efforts. Since the last attempts at a "Star Wars" defense system, has technology changed considerably enough to make the latest Missile Defense initiatives more successful? Can such an application of science be successful? Is a militarized space inevitable, necessary or impossible?

Read Debates, a new Web-only feature culled from Readers' Opinions, published every Thursday.

lchic - 09:50am Sep 2, 2002 EST (# 4118 of 4133)

Social Capital ...
_{more Social List ... from the titles below USA could be in trouble(?)
also move towards a more 'holistic take' on social capital}

Social Capital: A Multifacted Approach by Partha Dasgupta (Editor), Ismail Serageldin (Editor)
... will be published in November 2002
Social Capital: Critical Perspectives by Stephen Baron (Editor), et al Social Capital: Theory and Research (Sociology and Economics (Paper)) by Nan Lin (Editor), et al
Bowling Alone: The Collapse and Revival of American Community by Robert D. Putnam
Knowledge and Social Capital: Foundations and Applications by Eric L. Lesser (Editor)
Patterns of Social Capital: Stability and Change in Historical Perspective (Studies in Interdisciplinary History 6) by Robert I. Rotberg (Editor), Gene A.

wrcooper - 09:50am Sep 2, 2002 EST (# 4119 of 4133)

Showalter:

I want to check you.

I ask you once again what is the source for the figures you gave for the cost discrepancy between a BMD system and its countermeasures. I've asked for this information about 10 times over three days. You stated, vigorously, that BMD system would cost 10³ to 10⁶ times more than countermeasures that could defeat it.

Where did those figures come from? They sound fuzzy. How did you come up with them?

Why is this so hard for you to answer. You say you're an engineer. I'm asking a reasonable question, not even a difficult one. If you believe in the value of checking, then you'll appreciate that that's what I'm attempting to do.

Stop stalling.

lchic - 09:57am Sep 2, 2002 EST (# 4120 of 4133)

'Hob Goblin' attitude yet again ... a 'stormy' demanding fellow!

Why not put up your own 'consultancy report' for discussion ?

rshow55 - 10:01am Sep 2, 2002 EST (# 4121 of 4133)
Can we do a better job of finding truth? YES. Click "rshow55" for some things Lchic and I have done and worked for on this thread.

I'll be cooking breakfast, and back to you.

What reasonable questions do you have - if you've read the references in 84 rshow55 3/2/02 11:52am ?

I've asked you to be specific.

On the beam weapons - they don't work for basic physical reasons - but even if they did - reflective defenses (as well as decoys) are easy - and if you've followed the thread, you'd know that. Read. If you won't, why should I work for you?

On the "hit to kill" weapons - - decoys , and some other approaches, too are easily done - for a few millions - and the missile systems costs more than 50 billion.

I'm cooking breakfast.

As for checking. It would be good to know who YOU are. Why should anybody in their right mind trust you?

wrcooper - 10:05am Sep 2, 2002 EST (# 4122 of 4133)

How much more specific can I be?

It was you, not me, who stated the figures. I'm asking you to justify them, as I'd ask any engineer to provide the basis for his calculations. What is the source of your data? How did you do the calculations?

Is that specific enough for you?

Stop stalling, Showalter.

lchic - 10:17am Sep 2, 2002 EST (# 4123 of 4133)

Creativity (3)

Technology and Creativity
by Subrata Dasgupta (Hardcover - June 2001)
An artful blend of cognitive science and creative imagination through the invention of new technologies. Enlightening, and fun to read, too.

Creativity in Invention and Design: Computational and Cognitive Explorations of Technological Originality
by Subrata Dasgupta (Hardcover - July 1994)

In this text's introduction Dasgupta notes that homage is paid to those individuals whose work and achivements transcend the rest.

~~~~~~~~~~

Thinking in the political context - how many political-fish swimming in the local goldfish bowl have the capacity to 'leap into the international sea' ... to be known and noted for their achievements ... to be acknowledged by 'the world' over the longer term?

How do political-people achieve 'fame' rather than infamy.

What do they 'do' or 'advocate', 'establish' or 'implement' that meets with world approval and gives them acclaim?

How many political-figures etch themselves into the minds and hearts of the wider world?

(10 following messages)

New York Times on the Web Forums Science Missile Defense