Extra terrestrial expansion will be the magnus opum of a species that has adopted science as a standard. For a few decades, such an inhospitable location will b

Extra terrestrial expansion will be the magnus opum of a species that has adopted science as a standard. For a few decades, such an inhospitable location will become a mecca for "the best of us" (off world or not). The conditions necessary for successful mission executions will insulate this unique group of colonists from the existential threats created by citizens naturally responding to their failed government (drug cartel would not exist if humanity could find a place and purpose for everyone). I'd imagine that this is our own version of the "filter" described in the root comment. The high standards of heavily funded interstellar ventures will bring together strong-willed, healthy, intelligent, empathetic, curious, and ambitious men&women to operate several light-minutes away from Earth. These are the types of people we should want to be breeding with each other for a few generations in order to produce higher quality citizens that will carry on the project (surely there will be medical implications rearing children in 0.5 G, see lifelong asteroid miner portrayal in "the Expanse").