What is the point of space colonies?

[Koyaanisqatsi]

They would require constant supplying, and wouldn't be economically beneficial. We think it's a great idea now, but once it happens, very little will happen for a long time. We won't start a sprawling interstellar empire. The colonies will likely be barely livable and not new and exciting.

When you want to colonize, aren't you just succumbing to materialism?

When you think of space colonization, don't you always think, "We will expand, grow, take our place in the universe!"? Haven't you always loved Sid Meier's Civilization? Don't you love to colonize and conquer? Doesn't it just give you a warm fuzzy feeling inside? If so, you're a materialist.

Space travel is not easy, and it is not cheap. We must consider it with a rational eye and realize that it won't be like all the sci-fi movies, and it's not what we're expecting. Maybe we should consider our earthly problems first, like lack of preparedness for climate change disasters, imbalance of world powers and governments and ideologies, which result in poverty in third world countries. Why spend millions to put hundreds of people on Mars (Mars no less! Why not just the moon? Mars isn't many times better, but it is many times further away!), just to start the expansion of human population, when tens of thousands of people die every day of starvation?

I'm done talking now.

[SlyReaper]

In the short term? Very little besides political bragging rights.

Medium term? Obtaining commodities that are more abundant in space than on Earth, or have been depleted on Earth. There are theoretical ways and means of making space travel cheap enough to make such ventures worth it.

Long term? The survival of the human race.

[Glass Fractal]

They would require constant supplying, and wouldn't be economically beneficial.

It's unlikely colonies that a haven't been carefully selected and prepared to be slightly self sufficient or economically useful will be made.

When you want to colonize, aren't you just succumbing to materialism?

No, you're just a moron. It seems to be more a matter of starry-eyed idealism than anything else.


Also: Blatant troll thread is blatant.

[Giallo]

I think it could be a good idea not to put all the eggs in the same basket...
But right now I agree with you: space colonization is not feasible.

[SlyReaper]

I think it could be a good idea not to put all the eggs in the same basket...
But right now I agree with you: space colonization is not feasible.

ORLY?

Since the Martian surface offers all the natural resources and elements necessary to sustain human society—unlike, for example the Moon—a permanent Martian settlement is thought to be the most effective way to ensure humankind becomes a space-faring, multi-planet species.

Of course, just because it's feasible doesn't mean it'll happen.

[Glass Fractal]

the Martian surface offers all the natural resources and elements necessary to sustain human society

Like arable land and water and a breathable atmosphere . . . no wait that's not right.

[Koyaanisqatsi]

Firstly, I was going to say that outer space resources are not profitable, but I'm not going to* because I don't remember where I read that and I know you won't trust me.

And now I must say that you are a scientific fanatic, immediately rejecting anything that's even a slight heresy of orthodox scientific dogmas. Almost like people being burned at the stake for saying that the Earth revolves around the Sun. Actually, exactly like that.

This is what the world is today. You can be so smart, and yet so stupid, at the same time. Religion is basically over and now people are scientific fanatics who only react to scientific heresy.

And I don't mean to say that the philosophy of science, the scientific method, is wrong! Of course, it's right, and it's the reason we've discovered all that we have. It's just that being a scientist no longer means keeping your mind open to new ideas; now it means sticking to your guns and trying to make everyone against the orthodox science seem ridiculous.

Also, the human race isn't in terrible, terrible danger. The meteorite claim, so common, is silly. The last mass-extinction-causing meteorite to hit was 65 million years ago, causing the death of the dinosaurs. 64 million, 992 thousand years later, human civilization started, putting us at the 8,000-year mark. Maybe it will take us a couple thousand more years to be entirely safe from disasters, but if we were safe for 65 million years, then I don't think this should be our top priority.

*Gee Willikers BUT YOU JUST DID!!!!!!11 Yes, I said it, but I repealed it, in a sense. I withdrew my statement. See, this is exactly what I'm talking about.

[SlyReaper]

What the fuck are you talking about? Someone disagrees with your preconceived notions, therefore they're closed-minded and anti-scientific? Piss off.

[Gigano]

Instead of responding to the subject at hand, I'll just leave you with a question that is applicable to the entire concept of battling the bad scientists and their dogmas because someone cannot see the point to doing something:

What is the use of fundamental research of ageing yeast for the good of humankind?

And here is the answer in case someone's wondering:

Spoiler:

Because it allows us in the long run to better understand ageing in life in general and then translate those interpretations to humans to facilitate healthy ageing.

As for space colonies, SlyReaper already mentioned it eloquently.

[Koyaanisqatsi]

Instead of responding to the subject at hand, I'll just leave you with a question that is applicable to the entire concept of battling the bad scientists and their dogmas because someone cannot see the point to doing something:

What is the use of fundamental research of ageing yeast for the good of humankind?

And here is the answer in case someone's wondering:

Spoiler:

Because it allows us in the long run to better understand ageing in life in general and then translate those interpretations to humans to facilitate healthy ageing.

As for space colonies, SlyReaper already mentioned it eloquently.

So, just to get this straight, now we're under the assumption space colonization is a plan for the future rather than a plan for now? If so, I completely agree.

[HopDavid]

ORLY?

Since the Martian surface offers all the natural resources and elements necessary to sustain human society—unlike, for example the Moon—a permanent Martian settlement is thought to be the most effective way to ensure humankind becomes a space-faring, multi-planet species.

True, Mars has CHON.

But the Lunar poles also have CHON. See LCROSS brew. Even more exciting than that NASA Radar Finds Ice Deposits at Moon's North Pole.

[gmalivuk]

So, just to get this straight, now we're under the assumption space colonization is a plan for the future rather than a plan for now? If so, I completely agree.

Good. Then there's no point in this ridiculous thread continuing. Since no one was suggesting we send up colonists tomorrow, anyway.