6 ms·
> Much as I admire Musk's drive to not only explore but colonize Mars, I have to agree with this sentiment. Viewing Mars as a "backup" for Earth is like relying
by geertj 10y ago
> Much as I admire Musk's drive to not only explore but colonize Mars, I have to agree with this sentiment. Viewing Mars as a "backup" for Earth is like relying on the Commodore 64 in your closet as a backup in case your MacBook Pro gets fried.
I tend to agree about the "backup Earth" justification. But is there really any justification required, other than it's our human nature to want to explore and push the frontiers?
When people started moving from Europe to America in the 17th century, I don't think anyone saw it as a backup plan.
- trhway 10y ago>When people started moving from Europe to America in the 17th century, I don't think anyone saw it as a backup plan. i like the Mayflower crowd motivation, in particular "found the Dutch morals much too libertine." https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pilgrim_Fathers#Leiden https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pilgrim_Fathers#Leiden So, once the transportation to Mars starts working, one can imagine various new settlements by groups "special" in one way or another. Imagine an Amish colony under a giant glass dome for example.
- thaumasiotes 10y agoI find it kind of funny imagining a group best known for their reluctance to use premodern technology colonizing Mars.
- L_226 10y agoAmistics[1] may be of interest to you. [1] - http://www.newphilosopher.com/articles/the-art-of-amistics/ http://www.newphilosopher.com/articles/the-art-of-amistics/
- thaumasiotes 10y agoI'm aware that the Amish have mechanisms for formally allowing certain technologies while disallowing others. But I think colonizing Mars makes for a pretty big breach in the wall.