Oh man, I really hope this is sarcasm :)
replyTo explore this (hopefully parody) alt history, I don't know why the us gov wouldn't waited 70 some years for spacex to reach this point to grant that monopoly versus handing it off to the usual collection of defense contractors, eg raytheon (or whatever they're called now), Rand, etc.
The Holloman Pact made the alien technology transfer contingent on launching an alien-human hybrid program. You see, the Zeta Reticulans mandate their technology to be stewarded by hybrids (similar to how China requires a 50% Chinese joint venture to gain access to their markets). The two species' geneticists started working together, and in 1971 the first viable hybrid was born: Elon Musk. Then we had to wait for the hybrid to mature, before it could be given stewardship of this sensitive technology. Meanwhile a generations-long cultural manipulation program was also underway, to prepare humanity for disclosure.
replyThis is the most rational argument in this entire discussion.
replyIt's just the plot to the X-Files, upgraded to the social media age.
replyX-Files was always part of the soft-disclosure.
replyI want to believe.
replyWell, now the "X" (X.com, SpaceX, Model X...) finally makes sense!
replySo what you're saying is we need tariffs on alien goods.
replyLet's see, maybe we'll be the Chinese for them, and they'll be hitting us with tarriffs once King Reticulani XVII gets into power.
replyOf course it's sarcasm, but if it WAS true, it would be because the government was working in cahoots with all those defense contractors all along, until the Trump administration came along and decided to privatize it, at which point SpaceX seized its opportunity.
replyHahahahahha. I love this. Brilliant work.
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