Volunteerism vs. Rewards for Space Settlement (Was R

> I find curious a viewpoint that views satellites a few miles across as
> unfeasible, but useful machines the size of molecules as just around
> the corner.

Good point!

Let me add my own. Is it better to have the mining and pollution here
on Earth or in orbit?

http://www.faultline.org/place/2002/04/toxictech.html

"In 1993, Texas Instruments estimated the resources required and
waste produced in the manufacture of a single six-inch semiconductor
wafer. (In the intervening nine years, production has likely become
more efficient, but more recent industry-wide estimates are
unavailable.) Producing one wafer required 3200 cubic feet of bulk
gases, 22 cubic feet of hazardous gases, and 20 pounds of chemicals,
along with 285 kilowatt-hours of electrical power (enough to power a
refrigerator around the clock for several months) and 2,275 gallons
of water (enough for over 70 bathtubs). Each wafer's production
generated seven pounds of hazardous waste, 25 pounds of sodium
hydroxide, and 2840 gallons of waste water."

TangoMan