> The clear payoff is: as far as we've seen, life only exists on one place in the universe, so it makes sense to spread it out. Sure, if the short term concern

> The clear payoff is: as far as we've seen, life only exists on one place in the universe, so it makes sense to spread it out. Sure, if the short term concerns don’t do us in first. You’re talking about an extremely long tail concern in terms of likelihood of human destruction compared to the threats that will come with developing the technology we need for material independence from earth. If history is any guide, colonization does not lead to spontaneous harmony or collectivized thinking. I think the idea is “why are we playing with technology we aren’t responsible enough to use yet when the benefits aren’t clear”. Take the story recently about SpaceX launching satellites that are so reflective they obscure the sky: for a company with supposedly with noble intent, they clearly have their own interests which they will advance above our own. In the BEST case, they admit their own blasé ignorance as to the collectivized effects of their actions, and it’s not like they make any secret about serving militaries. If there is a model for “space” research in the public interest, the US and comparable nations have barely invested a tiny drop in the bucket of military investments. I have no faith we’re going to start any time soon.