There are problems that are game stoppers and there are problems that are unavoidable. Cars work. Yes, if you drive 1 million miles you will have cracks in the

There are problems that are game stoppers and there are problems that are unavoidable. Cars work. Yes, if you drive 1 million miles you will have cracks in the engine due to thermal expansion, but who cares? Make a new engine and get over it. Now consider a space elevator. Material problems are a game stopper.