why outer space?

--- "Combs, Mike" wrote:
> > From: David Grunwald [mailto:skywise372@...]
> >
Combs, Mike wrote;

> 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.

If this statement is an indication that you are
doubtful as to the feasibility of a "space based"
strategy for meeting our future demands for resources
and livable space, and that space exploration is,
therefore, not justifiable on those grounds alone,
then we agree.

If, rather, you are suggesting that we are in no real
danger of ever running out of "this or that material
resource", then we disagree. When it comes to the
nonrenewable resources such as minerals and metals, I
think it's possible that if we reduce our dependence
on them via the use of renewable alternatives (where
renewable alternatives can be found), and if our
numbers stabilize at reasonable levels, AND if we
begin to take recycling seriously, then we may not run
out of these materials. But there is certainly no
guarantee that all, or even any, of these
contingencies will be met. Futhermore, "raw
materials" and "living space" are not the only
resources we need to consider when discussing growth
limits and sustainability. "Soil fertility, safe air
and water, stable climates, biological nutrient
recycling, the assimilative capacity of the
environment itself, and critical nutient cycles of
nature for oxygen, carbon, nitrogen, sulfur, and
phosphorus. For these processes there are no
substitutes." (Ayres, R. (1993). "Cowboys,
cornicopians, and long-run sustainability". Ecological
Economics 8, p.195).

Also, according to Al;

"The 'Limits to Growth' computer models could not
reproduce the development of agriculture, the
industrial revolution, electrification, the
information revolution or any other major technology
change. Besides leaving out most of the resources of
the solar system, they left out the fact that
knowledge and information (almost) always accumulate,
and the effects of this accumulation often overwhelm
the effect of using resources."

This is a good point because, in all honesty, no one
really knows what future generations will come up
with. However, I think it's sensible to maintain a
precautionary attitude when making these types of
predictions. I think that each generation has an
obligation to leave the world at least as good as it
was when they found it (and hopefully a little
better). I think that whenever possible we should
meet our own needs without compromising the ability of
future generations to meet theirs. I think we should
also try to meet our needs without forcing future
generations to come up with solutions to problems that
we created, or to make sacrifices that we were
unwilling to make ourselves.

Many of the above examples, of human inovations, and
solutions to problems that were unforeseen by
preceeding generations, actually represent major
transitions toward unsustainability, and have
increased considerably the demands that our species
place on the earth (eg the developments in agriculture
and the subsequent effects on soil fertility and
nutrient cycles, the industrial revolution and the
associated explosion of energy and resource use, etc.)
So these examples offer little hope, to me, that if
we just leave it to human inovation then everything
will be just fine.

> 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.

I agree perially with this statement. I agree insofar
as I recognize the desire to explore new frontiers as
one of the defining features of our species. And that
much of the value of the space program lies in its
ability to satisfy this desire and to fulfill our
intellectual curiosity. But if the "cultural decline"
is shown to be more closely associated with factors
other than a failure to explore new frontiers, then
space exploration may well be accompanied by a
continued cultural decline.