I suppose the history of science “makes” me think that we look through telescopes and build cyclotrons in order to learn. But your question puzzles me: is there one and only one purpose behind the exploration of the solar system? Are you trying to say that the latest Mars mission is pure greed, job protection, political empire-building and makework chicanery? I wonder what technological or scientific undertaking has not been tainted by less than noble motives. Consider Edison, for openers. Even people trying to cope with epidemic diseases get smeared as filthy capitalists. I’ve heard all the lectures by the enemies of “big pharma,” so I guess I’m immune to your bitterness. The latest Mars mission was interesting, even if a modern WPA for an elite group of insiders. I would probably agree with you that there are better projects to undertake, different ways to do the research, and so on. Most government projects could stand at least some reform, I suppose. But the blanket implication that learning had nothing to do with this mission…unh, disgruntled taxpayer that I am, I won’t sign off on that.
