Keith asked: > What is your evidence that space tourism has very high status?
Mark Shuttleworth became a national star in his country and received global celebrity status. Also the other space tourists so far got a lot of media attention. > At this > time, when it's still extremely dangerous, only a few hundred rich people > -- and probably eccentric ones at that -- have their names on Richard > Branson's waiting list at $200,000 a seat. Well, as you say, it's "only" a few hundred because it's still extremely dangerous. Also note that this trip requires very good physical fitness -- something that's rare among very rich people. > And, as for seeing Earth from space, the view would still > have nowhere near the same clarity as satellite photos taken at selected > cloud-free times. If photos could substitute being there and seeing the real sight, the whole tourism industry would pretty much collapse! (except sex tourism perhaps) Now with the Internet, people can see photos of the most beautiful places and sights for free at home, but still the travel industry is humming more than ever (if you discount the general economic crisis). > >But your challenge was: "Find me a new consumer product that's highly > >desirable by the rich". > > That was only by way of additional comment on our present times and the > likely future years. In times of prosperity, plenty of people would have > the money for lots of tourism but, except for the retired and the very very > rich, few would have the disposable time beyond a week or two a year. Those > who earn the most tend to work the longest hours. Excuses... Even in my expensive country, there are middle class tourists (even from Japan). A week or two a year is enough for a holiday, many in Europe have 4 weeks, and the retired are a large & growing sector in tourism. I took your challenge and others confirmed it. Take it or leave it... Chris _______________________________________________ Futurework mailing list [email protected] https://lists.uwaterloo.ca/mailman/listinfo/futurework
