Michael Walsh wrote in message ...
I think the 'without it even being noticed' is a comment on a comment
I made earlier in the thread. If I may respond;

As to the 'not being noticed' bit what I was referring to was getting
the funding, the regulatory permission and etc. done .. in other
words, getting an offical blessing put on the project .. before the
institutions concerned can 'officially' formulate a respone i.e.
protect their turf i.e. kill the project. If the crowd building the
space elevator can get inside the vested interests Decsion-Action loop
that's a good start.

~er

What I meant was I don't think you can sneak something this
big through unnoticed. I think you can count on a lack of reaction
until it looks as if it isn't just someone's fantasy.

If you want to look at what happens on a smaller scale take a
look at how regulation goes with the X-Prize and the
sub-orbital tourist groups. Regulatory problems came right
out of the closet when the government suddenly perceived
that things might really happen.

This is different from the technical problems of building a
space elevator, but does describe things that will have to
be faced if it looks as if the space elevator may actually
be built.

I was expressing myself badly; you've stated what I was thinking
rather well. It does look like Mr. Rutan is going to get the X-Prize
soon, and then we'll see what happens.

~er