[1shooner]

This is what makes it bittersweet. So many comments here talking about this being progress for 'humanity'. I may be cynical, but most of humanity will get no benefit from any of these accomplishments. This is technology owned by and ultimately in service of a minuscule fraction of humanity.

[altcognito]

The launching of Starlink will absolutely improve the quality of internet to underserved countries and rural areas. Quality internet is a game changer.

[Yacovlewis]

Agreed. Even if it takes a long time for us to be riding rocket ships to visit our grandparents, we'll be benefiting from this technology way faster than that

[grecy]

Driving around Africa basically every village had solar panels, a huge number of people had smart phones and internet.

The least developed country on earth is currently developing faster than any country ever has at any time in history.

Read the book “factfullness”

[lurking_swe]

better weather forecasting (launching and replacing the existing old satellites) seems useful. starlink has already been a game changer in communities experiencing natural disasters and is now coming to commercial airplanes.

so there’s something at least. :)