• tahann@lemmy.world
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      1 year ago

      Ang usapan ng mga Space Age Marites, isa na naman daw itong paraan para palakasin ang militar, thru research. Siguro napanood na nya yung Barbenhiemer. Ideas live forever, ika nga sa trailer.

      • megane-kun@lemm.ee
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        1 year ago

        isa na naman daw itong paraan para palakasin ang militar

        Putting my own personal biases aside, I think this is a good reason to pursue advances in science and technology. While the US needs us to contain China, the previous US administration has also shown us that we can’t just rely on US‌ support. Besides, I think the US also wants us to develop our military capabilities in case push comes to shove.

        Why the US just doesn’t give us more opportunities for technological transfer… IDK, but I’ve got a theory that basically says “it isn’t in any country’s best interest to do so.” We missed our chance to benefit from the technology transfer from the US (from which Japan, S. Korea and Taiwan benefited greatly), and we suffer the consequences of it.

        • tahann@lemmy.world
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          1 year ago

          I’m assuming you’re saying this because you believe that the military will protect your interest. Good luck with that. I wish I were wrong.

          • megane-kun@lemm.ee
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            1 year ago

            I did set aside my personal beliefs and biases when I made my reply. ^^;

            Maybe a reframing would make it less about the both of us and more about those in power (wanting to retain power), because that’s basically the point I’m trying to make.

            • tahann@lemmy.world
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              1 year ago

              If you have experienced having power, you will realize that the real threat are those who also have power.

              Let’s say I have a gun and I know you have a gun, you’ll be the first one I’ll shoot when push comes to shove.

              • megane-kun@lemm.ee
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                1 year ago

                Hmm, I see. I’m inclined to agree with you. On principle, it’s better to have my country have the bulk of the world’s military force. However, what’s your take on what I said (a few replies up)?

                If you were Marcos Jr. Would you do the same thing? Do you think having a stronger military (boosted by progress in science and technology) would help you have a firmer grip on power? How about the US? Do you think it’d be advantageous to them if they’re allied with a weak (but geopolitically important—at least in the context of the first island chain) country like ours?

                • tahann@lemmy.world
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                  1 year ago

                  Generally, boosting the moral of the military via increase in pay and benefits, or purchasing equipments for their use/benefit, will help get the military on their side.

                  Also, boosting the moral of the common tao, via grand inspirational plans will also get people on your side. Propaganda. Ideas.

                  It doesn’t matter if the benefits of the technological innovations will trickle down to the rest. There’s pride. Hopefully one day, we can eat pride.

                  As for the US, it doesn’t matter if they have weak allies as long as they can assert their power. US being a major supplier of weapons is earning from wars or the fear of wars.

                  Also, it’s not about allying with the weak. It’s about having an excuse to use force on a threat. Like in my example, I won’t just shoot you. I’ll make sure I’ll come out as the hero when I shoot you.

    • wabafee@lemm.ee
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      1 year ago

      I don’t think we need to have an advance economy to participate in space exploration and research to be fair. India has done it and even NK who’s economy is nonexistent. It’s more of a political will thing does an average Filipino see benefits in space exploration and research. Though I don’t think we do at the moment. We’re not really into stuff that don’t bring instant gratification right away.

      • k5nn@lemm.ee
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        1 year ago

        But don’t we have more pressing matters though such as alleviating poverty if that problem isn’t solved I doubt the average juan would care about space which just further intensifies the feeling that they’ve been left behind which in turn justifies their smart-shaming mindset

        • wabafee@lemm.ee
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          1 year ago

          Yes I think that’s basically the number one mission of the government. Everything the government does is inheritly to reduce poverty (despite how corrupt it is). Education, quality jobs, healthcare, housing and peace and order. Space exploration is also one, if Philippines manage to become competitive in this area this could produce jobs in turn at least alleviate those in poverty. Might even give us edge with other countries. Will improve existing weather monitoring systems. Introduce technology that could be game changing.

        • megane-kun@lemm.ee
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          1 year ago

          On one hand, it’s true that the pursuit of pure(-ish) science (like space exploration) is a luxury that an economy like ours can ill afford, but on the other hand, it is the advances made from such pursuits that allowed countries such as the US to take their lead and take it to further heights. Moreover, technological advances made in space exploration have been applied in military applications, and then consumer applications.

          However, it’s an increasingly insecure world. And the more insecure the world becomes (and it is becoming more and more insecure owing to the changes happening around us), the more nations try to lock-in their technologies, and the more countries who have fallen behind suffer the consequences. I see this trend being behind this push. We need to develop own scientific and technological capabilities or we risk being helplessly trampled upon by circumstances. It’d also be harder to maintain our anti-poverty initiatives without making sure that our industry have something for the people we’re lifting out of poverty.

          However, even if we assume the government pushes for science and technology development and devotes a lot of money into it, it’d be useless if it can’t keep the brightest minds of our country. Balewala yang “Philippine Space Week” na yan kung basura naman ang suporta sa ating mga scientists, engineers and inventors. And unlike the US, we can’t just poach the bright minds of other countries, ano ba ang mai-oofer natin sa kanila in the first place? Kung yung sarili nga natin di natin masuportahan ng matino eh.

          Moreover, even if there’s genuine support from the government (and local industry), if the society, the norms, the entire “human aspect” of the country isn’t conducive to such people, then we can’t expect those people to stay, much less to contribute. A good side effect of this is that it would encourage more people into pursuing their interests (be it science, technology, or whatever else), perhaps leading to people pursuing what they’re really into, and seeing good results from it.

          So, what am I trying to say here? While it is true that the pursuit of pure science is a luxury, it is increasingly becoming a necessity for our survival. However, in order to develop the capability to pursue pure science, we need the government to give its genuine support to the people who can make it happen: the scientists, the engineers, the technologists, the inventors. And in order to keep those people, not only does the government need to continue giving its genuine support, but society too, must be conducive to people who pursue knowledge for knowledge’s sake, to people who are different from the mainstream.

  • wabafee@lemm.ee
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    1 year ago

    I don’t see any issue with this promoting space. We could probably do more like perhaps increase space funding but it’s a good start either way.

    • decadentrebel@lemm.ee
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      1 year ago

      I guess there’s no harm in it, especially when there are some local innovations/breakthroughs or Filipinos involved in space exploration that don’t get enough credit.