November 18, 2011 at 12:08 am
Comments posted to this topic are about the item IT staff would rather pocket $100k than blast off into space
November 18, 2011 at 2:52 am
The psychology of this is quite interesting.
If I won a trip into space, would I swap it for $100,000 ? I'm not sure, the temptation of taking the trip would be pretty big.
But if I won $100,000 would my first choice for the money be to spend it on a trip to space ? Absolutely not !
November 18, 2011 at 6:11 am
Hardly surprising. $100,000 ~ £60,000 - with that I could pay off mine and my girlfriend's student debt (£30,000 for me, £18,000 for her) and be able to put the rest together with our savings and put a deposit on a house. All of which would help us live our lives more comfortably.
A trip to space would be cool, but reality often has to win against dreams :crying:
November 18, 2011 at 6:42 am
There's also the aspect that while Armadillo Aerospace seem an interesting outfit they don't seem particularly close to having the capability to launch manned sub-orbital flights. Given the choice between a definite $100K now or a slightly vague promise of a flight at an unknown future date I'm afraid the $100K wins.
November 18, 2011 at 6:54 am
SPACE, anytime.
100K is easy-ish to come buy with more work. Space is another story and not enough of a motivator to work towards for that long (for me atm anyways).
November 18, 2011 at 7:11 am
Maybe there's a few DBA's, developers, executives and congressmen that have all the bills for years, medical expenses, the kids college funds and the mortgage paid off, etc, but I'm not in that minority.
But outside of practical personal and household financial matters, the money would go far to help one career wise. I don't get to use many of the newer tools that the blogosphere and Twits fawn over. I could replace my older hardware and software, take a few courses and attend some out of town conferences and maybe take a real vacation to reset my mental state.
November 18, 2011 at 7:17 am
It's a tough one. The cash would be might useful. On the other hand, bet it'd be one hell of a ride*!
*Once they actually have something working...
November 18, 2011 at 7:20 am
In making a choice we also have to consider that in the past year 10% of all rocket launches have failed (and that number is higher if you also count the Japanese probe that failed to make its Venus insertion burn in May and is now taking an unscheduled trip around the Sun). A substantial number of those failures have been with Russian equipment. Fortunately the crew they just sent to the ISS made it.
But the reality of a nearly 10% chance of becoming a puddle on the Siberian prairie instead of becoming one of the lucky few members of the 65-Mile High Club is probably a significant motivator to Take The Cash.
November 18, 2011 at 7:27 am
Ken Mercadante (11/18/2011)
In making a choice we also have to consider that in the past year 10% of all rocket launches have failed (and that number is higher if you also count the Japanese probe that failed to make its Venus insertion burn in May and is now taking an unscheduled trip around the Sun). A substantial number of those failures have been with Russian equipment. Fortunately the crew they just sent to the ISS made it.But the reality of a nearly 10% chance of becoming a puddle on the Siberian prairie instead of becoming one of the lucky few members of the 65-Mile High Club is probably a significant motivator to Take The Cash.
A rocket malfunction resulting in an unscheduled trip around the Sun would really suck. Then again, it would also allow me some time to study for my next cert exam, and it would provide a perfectly valid excuse for not showing up at work for the next year. I hope they pack the shuttle with plenty of sardines and vitamin water.
"Do not seek to follow in the footsteps of the wise. Instead, seek what they sought." - Matsuo Basho
November 18, 2011 at 7:31 am
Ninja's_RGR'us (11/18/2011)
SPACE, anytime.100K is easy-ish to come buy with more work. Space is another story and not enough of a motivator to work towards for that long (for me atm anyways).
Dave Ramsey would frame the question this way: "Given your current financial circumstances, would spend $100,000 of your savings to go on on a space shuttle ride?".
I'd personally take the money. We could probably buy a ticket on a similar space shuttle ten years down the road for $20,000.
"Do not seek to follow in the footsteps of the wise. Instead, seek what they sought." - Matsuo Basho
November 18, 2011 at 7:35 am
Eric M Russell (11/18/2011)
Ninja's_RGR'us (11/18/2011)
SPACE, anytime.100K is easy-ish to come buy with more work. Space is another story and not enough of a motivator to work towards for that long (for me atm anyways).
Dave Ramsey would frame the question this way: "Given your current financial circumstances, would spend $100,000 of your savings to go on on a space shuttle ride?".
I'd personally take the money. We could probably buy a ticket on a similar space shuttle ten years down the road for $20,000.
Who's that Ramsey guy?
My parents always pinched pennies and worked like dogs. Now barely retired, having paid off the house a couple weeks ago, they both can't drive, go on trips and my father is <possibly> on his death bed.
I agree that saving is not optional, but at some point you got to freaking enjoy life!
November 18, 2011 at 7:47 am
Ninja's_RGR'us (11/18/2011)
Eric M Russell (11/18/2011)
Ninja's_RGR'us (11/18/2011)
SPACE, anytime.100K is easy-ish to come buy with more work. Space is another story and not enough of a motivator to work towards for that long (for me atm anyways).
Dave Ramsey would frame the question this way: "Given your current financial circumstances, would spend $100,000 of your savings to go on on a space shuttle ride?".
I'd personally take the money. We could probably buy a ticket on a similar space shuttle ten years down the road for $20,000.
Who's that Ramsey guy?
My parents always pinched pennies and worked like dogs. Now barely retired, having paid off the house a couple weeks ago, they both can't drive, go on trips and my father is <possibly> on his death bed.
I agree that saving is not optional, but at some point you got to freaking enjoy life!
I wouldn't rule out taking a space shuttle ride at some point before I'm sixty years old, but I'd rather spend a few thousand dollars twenty years from now, and take one or both of my daughters along for the ride, than I would blow $100,000 today. If I owned my own consulting firm, then I would have more consideration for taking the trip today, because in addition to it being fun, it would also be an opportunity for publicity. I can see how a consultant would love to be known as "The DBA From Space".
"Do not seek to follow in the footsteps of the wise. Instead, seek what they sought." - Matsuo Basho
November 18, 2011 at 7:48 am
I agree that saving is not optional, but at some point you got to freaking enjoy life!
I enjoy life, but I don't have to pursue foolish stunts to do so. 100K would buy a cruise around the world. Or I could chose to help family members, the community or myself. The money could update the computer lab at local school, build a hacker space to inspire geeks of all ages, or fund the local storm spotters.
November 18, 2011 at 7:48 am
Dave Ramsey would frame the question this way: "Given your current financial circumstances, would spend $100,000 of your savings to go on on a space shuttle ride?".
I'd personally take the money. We could probably buy a ticket on a similar space shuttle ten years down the road for $20,000.
There's another way to frame the question:
You come home from work and tell your other half you've won $100K. "Great!" he/she says, "what shall we spend it on?"
"Erm, I've blown it all on a trip into space. There's only one ticket. For me."
How long do you think you'd survive? 😀
November 18, 2011 at 7:48 am
Interesting conundrum - more importantly, are those who would take the money disqualified? {-:
Viewing 15 posts - 1 through 15 (of 34 total)
You must be logged in to reply to this topic. Login to reply