Is Colonizing other planets Useless?

Question

Im here to put forward my arguement that the idea that humans should colonize other planets is not in the distant future for the human race.

First, the human species (and every other species on this planet) evolved specifically to live and thrive on planet Earth. This means that climate conditions, seasonal changes, saltwater and freshwater specific to Earth all had a heavy influence on Earth species. Life on earth is like a key that fits in only one lock: Earth.

Secondly, terraforming (making other planets like planet earth) is a vast, complex, and near impossible problem. Atmospheric oxygen/ nitrogen/ CO2 levels, PH levels in the soil, the influx of sunlight, must all be within a narrow range to accomodate life on earth. This is not to mention to the millions of bacteria, plant and animal species required to keep even an agrocultural ecosystem running.

Finally, if all of this could be done, its still useless. Who would want colonize mars, an antartic, waterless desert?

In answering about the sun:
The sun will stop being useful for life on Earth in about 3 billion years. I highly doubt the Human race will survive that long

Answer 1

We should colonize the other planets and other solar systems before ...

Not pointless. It should be the only goal of humanity at this point. If something happens to the Sun, all will be lost. The sun will not last for ever. If a disaster happens on earth and all humans are on the planet, all is lost, everything we ever did is gone. We need to spread our bets so that we can increase the odds of our survival.

Answer 2

Agree with you on every point, but the basic premise.

We have only had even limited space flight for less than 50 years - an eye blink of time. Whether humans will overcome their strong tendencies to aggression and immediate/short term gratification is a very big question. In spite of Earth history, there have been exceptions, & I am willing to give the species benefit of the doubt.

So whether or not humans of the future want to even merely establish a robot colony on Mars, having found some valueable elements which could be mined (or some such thing) or not first requires that humans :

a) have overcome the economic & other difficulties on Earth that
currently prevent such a speculative venture,

b) are still around at all & still possess spaceflight technology

c) do not think that it would be a waste of resources.

;-)

Answer 3

Mankind has and always will thrive on challenges. We will colonize other planets because it is our nature to conquer obstacles.

Man has adapted to changes that have occurred on this planet and to a lesser degree has altered the planet to suit his needs. I see no reason to believe that the same couldn't happen as we move out into neighboring planets and solar systems. In fact, I would bet that after a couple of thousand years on an alien planet the people might change enough that they would actually be re-categorized as a different species.

Is it useless? I think not.

If the dinosaurs had been spread out over 100 worlds a single collision would not have doomed them to extinction. Assuming that was the cause of course.

Answer 4

I think it's in our nature to find a way to survive. We owe it to humanity to ensure survivability of the human race. You're right there are numerous obstacles to overcome to successfully colonize another planet. There could be no general way to colonize any planet as each would present a unique set of issues to overcome. Not to mention that a small oversight could easily wipe out an entire colony. Despite the challenges and harsh conditions we might encounter; we need to satisfy our pioneering nature. It may take hundreds of years, but I think that eventually we'll successfully colonize outside the Earth.
At least I hope we do, although I doubt that I'd be the first to volunteer to move to another planet at least not until they get a Wal-Mart Supercenter.

Answer 5

Very interesting question. You are obviously very smart and well read to have an opinion on this topic at all.

I, however, disagree.

I believe that the human race will get to the point where our quality of life depends on having places other than earth's small amount of dry land.

Our first stop will likely be to build below the surface of the earth and in the oceans. This will prepare technology and man for the work of making other planets livable.

I actually have a question for you - with your opinion, do you feel that all space exploration is a waste of time and money?

Feel free to IM me with your answer.

Answer 6

Everything that you have mentioned in your statement about the Earth and the other planets within our Solar System are remarkably true to the point. There is absolutely no possible way, neither now nor yet in the future, that humans will colonize other planets...they simply couldn't survive it. Earth and Earth alone is established as the only hospitable planet to sustain life...any life...as we know it. When looking at other planets within our Solar System it becomes increasingly clear that we alone are the only "physical" living thing in existance (that is, of the flesh). This fact astounds me into wondering why then, are so many millions of thinking minds so ignorant of the truths of the Bible. All of the previous answers to your question are excellent and confront the many possibilties and problems. Nevertheless, being a Theologian, I have another belief-system and the Salvation of Mankind will not be by his own hand or inventions...but by God Himself. That is why Christ is called, Our "Saviour".

Answer 7

Hi there, good question.

We will have far more people living in space colonies than we will have living on planetary surfaces, is how I read it.

What are "space colonies"? Think of really massive space stations, made to rotate so as to simulate earth gravity with "centrifugal force" (1.)

Early designs show toruses and cylinders miles long, holding millions of cubic feet of an Earth normal air mix of oxygen-nitrogen, and built to house a small city worth of people, with parks and farms.

Now, I'm ready to be surprised here. For a very realistic scenario regarding planetary colonization and its hardships - and how colonists deal with them - read Kim Stanley Robinson's "Mars Trilogy" (Red Mars, Green Mars, Blue Mars are the titles for this series.)

But in general, it is much more cost-effective to make a large space structure to house a city-sized population, than it would be to terraform a planet. Lord knows there is plenty of resources and energy out there to do this.

Check out links 2, 3 & 4 below to scope out what I'm ranting about. Enjoy!

Answer 8

I'd say that at the present time, it is useless. We haven't the technology. But then, Jules Verne wrote about travelling to the moon before even the Wright brothers had flown. You could have said that was useless dreaming.

But for any really serious colonization, we have to get things sorted out down here on Earth. While so much money goes on military and impoverished nations that can't look after themselves, there's not enough for serious space exploration.

Answer 9

Not sure exactly what you mean or limit by saying "colonizing."

I think we could have research stations on other planets, including Mars, the Moon, possibly some of the moons of Jupiter and possibly other places in the Solar System.

These would be small communities, maybe too small to be called colonies, but populated by primarily adults, perhaps a few animals and perhaps even some children. They would be long-term settlements intended to be self-sustaining, much like some of the Antarctic research stations.

Going to one of these stations would be a long-term assignment, possibly even a lifetime move. I think an argument could be made in favor of it, but this would not be any kind of large-scale migration of people to outer space.

Answer 10

First of all, if you terraformed Mars it would not be an Antarctic, waterless desert. making Mars or some other planet habitable would help man kinds existence.

Secondly, It sounds to me like you just like to hear yourself blabber on about things to make you feel smart or important. If you like hearing yourself you should invest in a good tape recorder.