why outer space?

> From: David Grunwald [mailto:skywise372@...]
>
> Suppose the population of the earth stabilizes at 10
> billion. Or better yet, suppose it remains constant
> at the current 6 billion. For how long do you think
> these numbers are sustainable given the current
> circumstances?

You might be surprised. The "Limits to Growth" types who were so
influential when O'Neill first starting working on space settlement have
been revealed by the passage of time as far too pessimistic about how close
we are to those limits. I hate to say it, but space settlement really can't
be justified on the basis of shortages of any raw material or living space.
A slightly better case perhaps can be made for energy, provided that 3rd
world nations begin seeing more success in their attempts to develop than
they have up 'til now. Or we might pursue SPS more for reasons of reducing
greenhouse gas emissions than for the energy shortage rationales originally
offered.

I think the only real remaining justification for space settlement is that a
culture which ignores its frontiers is always a culture in decline. I'd say
we need space settlement more for the reinvigoration of our global culture
than because we are running out of this or that material resource.

Regards,

Mike Combs

> From: David Grunwald [
mailto:skywise372@...
]
>
> Suppose the population of the earth stabilizes at 10
> billion. Or better yet, suppose it remains constant
> at the current 6 billion. For how long do you think
> these numbers are sustainable given the current
> circumstances?
You might be surprised. The "Limits to Growth" types who were so influential when O'Neill first starting working on space settlement have been revealed by the passage of time as far too pessimistic about how close we are to those limits. I hate to say it, but space settlement really can't be justified on the basis of shortages of any raw material or living space. A slightly better case perhaps can be made for energy, provided that 3rd world nations begin seeing more success in their attempts to develop than they have up 'til now. Or we might pursue SPS more for reasons of reducing greenhouse gas emissions than for the energy shortage rationales originally offered.
I think the only real remaining justification for space settlement is that a culture which ignores its frontiers is always a culture in decline. I'd say we need space settlement more for the reinvigoration of our global culture than because we are running out of this or that material resource.
Regards,
Mike Combs