Advancing our into Space

On Sep 20, 2006, at 02:51 UTC, Ryan wrote:

> There is
> a lot that can be done with space, and with the help of corporations
> seeking new outlets and ideas, I'm sure we can group together
> hundreds of corporations into a strategic alliance, and get the ball
> rolling on developing something as simple as the world's first space
> destination, also known as a HOTEL.

Bigelow Aerospace is already working on that (and doing an admirable
job too, IMHO).

> Sure, at the moment, not much
> can be done in space, but what about 20 years in the future? Do we
> want to sit around now, and then 20 years later, when we have the
> ability to do something in space, just begin to build the
> foundations for our plans, putting our colonization efforts behind
> by over 20 years?

It doesn't work that way, because it doesn't take 20 years to write a
business plan. When the opportunities actually exist, THEN is the time
to get down to nuts and bolts and write a realistic business plan that
can attract investors. Until then, it's just exercise -- and yes, many
people have already done such exercises. There's nothing wrong with
that; I've done some myself (though I tend to emphasize the technical
aspect more than the business when it comes to space colonies).

Meanwhile, the most useful thing that most of us can do is to educate
people. For example, you seem to be suffering from planetary
chauvinism; we can probably cure that. You also seem to be "suffering"
from youthful over-optimism; I wouldn't try to cure you of that -- time
will do that, soon enough. :) Just know that we all felt the same way
at one point. Eventually it'll be replaced with either disillusionment
and cynicism, or a more tempered, patient attitude. Hopefully the
latter.

Best,
- Joe

Joe Strout -- joe@...