[Emilio Romero (OP)]

Ok, what do you think, is it More Important to Explore Space or the Ocean?

Emilio

[DoctorBeaver]

Both have importance depending on your field of interest. I don't see that you can rate 1 higher than the other.

[lyner]

I think there is a lot more money spent on 'space', 'cos it's regarded as sexy.

[DoctorBeaver]

A lot of exobiologists are taking an interest in oceanic thermal vents these days.

[lyner]

They could be a useful energy resource one day.

[Chemistry4me]

I think they should stick to the ocean before venturing any further out into space.

[Bored chemist]

Since the sun is scheduled to stop working nicely, sooner or later we will need to look at space.

[Karsten]

Since the sun is scheduled to stop working nicely, sooner or later we will need to look at space.

Probably later rather than sooner.

[Karsten]

It depends on what you are doing. It is hard to tell scientists to search for a particular thing. They are, in my opinion, to be left alone and find whatever there is to be found. Nevertheless, I would like to see at least guidance or direction. It seems pretty clear that humans are in trouble in regard to the condition of our home and it would be wise to focus on this. Our oceans provide a huge amount of food to billions of people. They also distribute heat all over the globe. I cannot see how the high-tech search for extraterrestrial intelligence will help the human species to survive the next 100 years. That does not mean it should be stopped. And maybe this is not a question for science at all. Maybe this is a question for citizens, politicians, engineers. And the question should be: What should we do with the knowledge we gain from the data we have discovered from exploring the oceans and space?

Nevertheless, we still know too little about our own planet to dramatically shift focus to explore space or even our own solar system RIGHT NOW. What we know about our own planet should urge us to assume that other things are currently more important. I doubt that we can afford big distractions.

[lyner]

Space is regarded by so many people as the new Wild West. Very sad.

The analogy fails very quickly when you realise the immense amount of energy required for every venture up there. Nothing special was required in the way of energy or technology to explore the Earth's surface way back when.
Space RESEARCH has huge merits, space EXPLORATION is little more than the selfish dream of wealthy nations.

[DrN]

In some ways, it seems easier to research space than the deep seas. You can get an awful lot of info just from looking into a telescope, but when it comes to deep sea you can't just look at it. There's extremely high pressure, no light, lots of water, and some big scary predators. At least the aliens are keeping their distance (for now) when we trespass all over their habitat in space!