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Those are the risks. It would be naïve of us to completely disregard them no matter how exciting the news of colonization would be. The moon landing, for exampl

by eksith 13y ago

Those are the risks. It would be naïve of us to completely disregard them no matter how exciting the news of colonization would be. The moon landing, for example, almost didn't happen at the last minute due to some unforeseen (yet masterfully handled) issues during the landing itself. I don't think (hopefully avoided) disasters will keep future colonists from following in the footsteps of their predecessors. After all, look how many people perished reaching the poles or climbing Everest. They do it because want to, not necessarily because they can or because it's safe.

sown 13y ago
> They do it because want to, not necessarily because they can or because it's safe. I think they'd do it for the money some how. In the Americas, that was mostly the motivation for the Virginia Company and the Massachusetts Bay Company were commercial ventures. People went to Jamestown hoping to find gold. Eventually word got out that the survival rate was in the very low double-digit percentage and they had to start offering people large tracts of land. Eventually the colonies started to export tobacco back to Europe and the tax revenues generated was always welcome. If those colonists go, it'll because they're dying to get rich.
- merlincorey 13y ago
  > If those colonists go, it'll because they're dying to get rich. I'm not sure if awesome puns are allowed on HN, but I upvoted you anyway.
- eksith 13y ago
  I can't deny some of the drive for exploration is financially driven, but you'll find no shortage of volunteers just to claim the bragging rights. Then, of course there's an entire legion of folks ready to do anything for God and Country, so plenty of volunteers there too.
  - Gormo 13y ago
    And plenty of people who want the freedom to be found in establishing a new frontier and leaving old institutions and constraints behind.
jcrites 13y ago
By "the moon landing" do you mean the first? There have been six manned moon landings: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moon_landing#Manned_Moon_landings https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moon_landing#Manned_Moon_landi...

by eksith 13y ago

sown 13y ago

> They do it because want to, not necessarily because they can or because it's safe. I think they'd do it for the money some how. In the Americas, that was mostly the motivation for the Virginia Company and the Massachusetts Bay Company were commercial ventures. People went to Jamestown hoping to find gold. Eventually word got out that the survival rate was in the very low double-digit percentage and they had to start offering people large tracts of land. Eventually the colonies started to export tobacco back to Europe and the tax revenues generated was always welcome. If those colonists go, it'll because they're dying to get rich.

merlincorey 13y ago
> If those colonists go, it'll because they're dying to get rich. I'm not sure if awesome puns are allowed on HN, but I upvoted you anyway.
eksith 13y ago
I can't deny some of the drive for exploration is financially driven, but you'll find no shortage of volunteers just to claim the bragging rights. Then, of course there's an entire legion of folks ready to do anything for God and Country, so plenty of volunteers there too.
- Gormo 13y ago
  And plenty of people who want the freedom to be found in establishing a new frontier and leaving old institutions and constraints behind.

jcrites 13y ago

By "the moon landing" do you mean the first? There have been six manned moon landings: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moon_landing#Manned_Moon_landings https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moon_landing#Manned_Moon_landi...