Son, sometimes there is no explanation for the puzzling things some people do.

I actually had somebody reply to my response with "Sure engineers might still invent, but tell me how would an engineer eat if replicators disrupted the economy?" ... some other say it's communist. some of it is funny to read, here: http://io9.com/but-without-the-financial-incentive-to-go-out-and-do-s-1689039261

Or maybe the rumors are true— it's the remnant core of a planet that was torn apart by the warring gravities of Jupiter and Sol, and the survivors live inside.

Well, in any case, let's agree that this mission is unmanned for now... in case Ceres proves to be more nefarious than we suspect.

^ Even so, I'm not exactly sure the vast distance between here and Ceres is really a barrier.

What are you currently studying?

"Creative" media, but I feel like they're suppressing my creativity more than anything. I'm even facing expulsion right now for not meeting their expectations. It just doesn't feel like creativity to me.

Tell us what a normal assignment or lesson would be about.

i.e., "Helping those with malaria is the kinder option, but trying to cure aging— which will retroactively cure most diseases, plus malaraia— is selfish."

I personally think the latter would be the better option. I don't see why only half-solving the problem is better.

@Yuli, I think what Gates is trying to say is that anti-aging is very out of our technological ability, unlike curing malaria. Why focus on something that would take decades to happen, and instead focusing on a problem that will only take a couple of years.

That is the largest difference between the cure for malaria and a cure for aging. A cure for malaria is a realistic and attainable goal for most scientists today.

Here's another thought-provoking idea: are your thoughts, especially when in mathematics mode, discretely separate from the Universe, when in fact your brain matter and its electro-chemical processes are very part of it?

^ So, in this light, is mathematics invented or discovered? :-)

Hmm...I don't believe that thoughts are anything other than electrochemical processes.