Over in Slate, there's another article that argues — persuasively — that the whole Space Shuttle project is just a lot of showing-off for no good purpose. I would love to see a persuasive argument (I'm assuming there is one) as to why it should continue. I mean, I understand about the national character, and how Americans never give up, and "Where would we be if Columbus had given up?" and all that, and I'm not saying none of that matters. But has anyone seen a good article explaining why it advances technology and improves the quality of life on this planet to keep sending human beings up there? This is one of those cases where I'm quite willing to be convinced, but I'm not yet. And since it will doubtlessly continue, I'd kinda like to be.