Before reading this article by my man Dr. Tyson, I must say that's a cool as photo he's taken.
4
The necessity to kill is sometimes the mother of invention but more often it is an opportunistic need that will couple with any science, art or other force that enables it. It's sad to hear that an admired scientist like mr. Tyson would want to promote this relationship with warfare. Is someone hoping to take part in an emerging destructive and counterproductive space force and offering promises of absolute power to the unscrupulous people that might want it? If we can't make peace in the harsh and humbling vacuum of space then in hell can we?
1
This book is not intended to "break new ground", rather it's to point out the well-plowed field.
6
Ummmmm, military needs have driven advances in technology since pre-history. The bronze and iron ages were accelerated by the use of those metals for better swords and arrowheads. The use of standardized parts to speed up manufacturing was driven by the need by gun makers to increase volume, manufacturing speed, and repairability of firearms. The rise of commercial aviation (both propellor and jet) was driven by advances in heavy bomber development. A welcome book, but hardly ground breaking.
3
@stevevelo Who claimed this was a ground breaking book? it is a compilation, and more so concentration, of work to show the reader the important symbiosis between astrophysics and the military. Tyson is a scientific communicator, and that is the role he is taking on here. The book is not written for world-leading astrophysicists, but for the public. I think you are missing the point.
13