Would you try to go to the edge of space if the trip were free?

Off-topic Chatter
1

Billionaire Richard Branson and a few people went close to the edge of space about a week ago.

Billionaire Jeff Bezos and a few people plan to go to the edge of space tomorrow.

It costs $250,000 to go close to the edge of space with Virgin Galactic, well if you can actually get a ticket.

I have two questions for everyone.

1. Would you try to go to the edge of space if the trip were free?

Personally, I would not because I take almost no unnecessary risks.

I still remember the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster of 1986.

2. What "unnecessary" risks are you willing to take?

Everything that we do in life has some sort of risk, but some of those things are much riskier than others, and some I consider unnecessary.

The only risky thing that I like that is unnecessary is riding roller coasters.

I haven't ridden one in about 15 years, but I did enjoy the smoother roller coasters back in the day.

So, there you go, two hopefully interesting questions to kick off a thread.

2

No on the space trip.
I love roller coasters too.
I used to love playing with “energetic materials “. Fortunately I still have all my fingers if not my marbles. Riskiest thing now is driving in traffic

3

I’d love to do it but the risk gives me pause.
And the cost, if i had the money i’d put it to better use.

As for risk i have 3 flashlights with built in and unremovable Chinese brand cells. Perhaps thats something Xtar can fix if they start a thread asking us for ways to improve their lights (Moon RC2).

4

It depends. How many flashlights can I bring?

5

Probably not to the edge of space, but I’d take a free ride to the moon. Like a day trip or something. Take the wife and kids out for a picnic on Oceanus Procellarum (I don’t have a wife or kids).

6

A statistic from the 90s i never forgot, space shuttle trips have (had) a risk of death of about 5%.

7

By the way, I hope that Jeff Bezos lives a long healthy life, though it's mainly for selfish reasons.

I really like Amazon, and if Bezos were to die, maybe Amazon wouldn't be so great anymore.

(Plus, the longer Bezos lives, maybe the better the chance that he accomplishes other positive things.)

8

The moon is much, much further than the edge of space.

You have to travel through a lot of space to get to the moon.

9

Yes, I know that :slight_smile: I was being slightly facetious.

10

Nope. In fact you would have to pay me about what it costs.

11

Hell yes! At 56 with both kids almost adults, I would do it in a heartbeat.

12

i would if someone would ALSO pay my life insurance premium for the trip.

13

I just remembered something.

I recently saw Final Destination 3, and in that movie they point out that you have a higher probability of dying from a traffic accident to or from an amusement park than dying on a roller coaster at an amusement park.

I don't know if I would trust a statistic from a horror movie, but if true, then roller coasters are relatively safe.

...

By the way, do not watch that movie right before going on a roller coaster unless you want to try to scare yourself.

14

For free? Heck yeah. I’d also skydive if it were free.

But you’d have to pay me big bucks to visit Portland OR. :wink: Too risky!! :stuck_out_tongue:

15

Did you know that you can skydive without a parachute...

Once.

16

Free?

Yes, I’d do it.

17

Twice if you are reincarnated.

18

Watching this vid gets me queasy, so nfw would I go up there with Bezos.

And “iddqd” does not help.

19

Just like that guy in the balance board video I’d be hesitant to trust my life to technology if I don’t have to.

Now… if the reward was greater, like we were travelling to a new paradise world with low gravity and amazonian women, then maybe…

20

Cool video, but pretty scary.

I just got off the phone with Bezos.

He said that he'll pay for Lightbringer's ticket and give him a free year of Amazon Prime, but LB has to attempt to go to the edge of space to get the free Prime.