Re:About time we had some public debate (Score 1)

Add "Getting the girl" and you've summed up the reasons for most of humanity's innovation...

Well, space race was kind of whose dick(rocket) is bigger. And US with it's XXL sized saturn 5 won. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=usLV2LN1qYk.

We need a reason to get to space. Either we run from immediate apocalyptic danger(not that really likely in short term perspective ) or we go there to make money(more likely - human greedy nature). Want to get to space? Look for a space technologies that generate profit like space tourism(bigelow aerospace) , space-based solar power( Pacific Gas and Electric,Space Energy Inc) or space mining( cylon mining industries ).Promote them if you can.

Think commercial(Why Columbus got to America?).