Thursday, February 26, 2004

Chicken Little

I read the asteroid article yesterday and thought, too ridiculous to comment on.  I realize an asteroid striking the earth is possible, but I would bet that the odds of it happening are statistically miniscule.

The article I read, via Drudge, is titled Earth almost put on impact alert.  The writer breathlessly draws us into his fear of the potential devastation such an event would produce.  Get President Bush on the phone!  And me without my worry beads.

This morning I read this.

VC readers will know I am skeptical of many government interventions. But I view asteroid protection as a genuine public good. Budget deficit or not, we are not spending enough money to address this problem.


Those words were written by Tyler Cowen and were posted over at The Volokh Conspiracy.

C’mon Tyler, be serious.  The sky is not falling, but if it does, throwing money at it, in an attempt to stop it, is preposterous.  It would be better to adopt a somewhat more cavalier attitude about this miniscule possibility.  For example.  I served on the 688 class submarine, the USS Los Angeles (SSN688).  The boat had two watertight compartments, forward and aft.  At times, crewmembers would speak of what they would do if we were struck by a torpedo while operating at depth, or, some other catastrophic hull failure occurred.  As if.  Basically, the only option available, if such a catastrophe struck, was wishful thinking or rational thought.  The rational thought was, if this happens, bend over and kiss your ass goodbye.

Posted by John Venlet on 02/26 at 09:09 AM
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