I think this misses the mark. We're going to the moon because there is a cadre of decrepit old farts in power that hate themselves and see this as their chance of hating themselves a little less and maybe even leave a mark in history before they spring their mortal coil.

They also have no ideas of their own, so instead of seeking something with substance, they just replicate what their child selves saw other people praise. It's magical thinking, "they did this thing and are remembered today. I'll repeat the incantation and get the same results".

That’s pretty cynical

I guess. Doesn't make it any less true.

Why are we still going to Antarctica if we've already been there? /s

Idk who Eric Berger is but he should probably go read a book sometime.

I'm sure he's working on writing another one!

I think the political goal is to build a base in the Moon surface and start exploring resources. Whoever gets there first can claim territory and start exploring its resources, send material back to earth and sell it at a premium to other nations. It’s a colonialism mindset.

Jack Schmitt forgot his glasses there

Ghosts

I'm just happy NASA is finally doing some exciting stuff