I think there is a reason behind the “to save humanity” rhetoric and it’s that this framing invokes ends-justify-the-means thinking even in folks who are not dipshit utilitarians. It’s the “I was cheating on you to save our marriage” of space exploration contractors. - ThreadSky

carlbergstrom.com • 234 days ago

I think there is a reason behind the “to save humanity” rhetoric and it’s that this framing invokes ends-justify-the-means thinking even in folks who are not dipshit utilitarians.

It’s the “I was cheating on you to save our marriage” of space exploration contractors.

Reposted from Hank Green

I hate hate hate hate these chodes who think we need to get to Mars to save humanity. There are zero scenarios that could ever make Earth as deadly as Mars. Zero.

I’d love if we went to Mars. Of course! But for science!! Not as a “backup planet.”

Comments

timnfeinstein.bsky.social•234 days ago

It’s about control. He has a fragile ego and a need to control people. You can’t make fun of the guy who controls the air supply.

taylorbeauvais.bsky.social•234 days ago

It's the realization of TESCREAL thinking.

"We must explore the stars to build habitats for future trillions of humans because that's the best way to maximize the potential sum total of happiness in the universe. Billions suffering now are worth trillions being happy later."

leeburton.bsky.social•234 days ago

I'm 100% on board going to Mars as a backup planet. One of Stephen Hawkings final speeches was about exactly this. It's just unfortunate that chodes like Musk are what people think about when they hear about it.

I'm sure I read Kim Stanley Robinson's "Red Mars" very differently than Musk.

rhacodactylus.bsky.social•234 days ago

i think it's more basic than even that

framing one's concern for humanity around the non-existent people of the future over existing people of today is a socially acceptable form of white supremacy, classism, and eugenics-based thinking, and is used to smuggle those ideas into open discourse

carlbergstrom.com•234 days ago

When you put it like that..

stutterbug43.bsky.social•234 days ago

Simple test of this gushing altruism: If any US tax money is involved in getting to Mars and setting up colonies, those colonies and its residents are subject to both US law and federal taxation the same as US residents. Think "Guam in space" more than "Planet Walden".

Or it's a grift. As always.

maxi8.bsky.social•234 days ago

I don't think Elon cares about Mars at all. It's been ages since I saw him say something that wasn't completely disingenuous

jhilden.bsky.social•234 days ago

I think also maybe some folks actually are not up to date with the current view of the intense hostility of Mars, since the views on that arguably have shifted a bit back and forth over the years.

denverchick.bsky.social•234 days ago

They aren't pushing Mars "to save humanity". They are using this as excuse to further pollute and despoil Earth in order to maximize their profits.

Example: Musk not giving a damn about polluting Texas waters for SpaceX.
https://www.nbcnews.com/science/environment/spacex-polluted-waters-texas-regulators-rcna166283

barrygoldman1.bsky.social•234 days ago

i think the mars thing was all a ploy! the starlink network and geopolitical power was always the goal.

palmblad.bsky.social•234 days ago

Indeed. It’s a faux humanism that obscures the real goal: expansion and growth. And so we can keep ignoring the needs of concretely existing humans for the sake of an abstract “humanity”. The scariest bunch are the triage utiliarians of “effective altruism” and the sci-fi branch of “longtermism”.

jimadamsgeo.bsky.social•234 days ago

I think, and hear me out, there is at least a small chance to save humanity if we are very selective about who we send to Mars.

Comments

Posting Rules

Reply