> For a start it implies that becoming a multi-planet species would be impossible without Musk or Bezos holding vast personal wealth. There is no reason to beli

> For a start it implies that becoming a multi-planet species would be impossible without Musk or Bezos holding vast personal wealth. There is no reason to believe that.[1] I'd say there's significant argument that it is indeed impossible. Democratic governments as a rule do optimize for cost where currency is created by fiat. Private capital generally does in order to stay in business and not go bankrupt. There's tons of recent evidence showing that existing space business is incredibly inefficient in cost.