Quote:
Originally Posted by stonetools
I think what I'm trying for is if anyone has come up with some solid rationale -business, economic or political, of why we should want to plant colonies on the Moon, or Mars, or the Belt. Just about everyone starts " Assume a Moon base...."
The sci-fi old timers tend to analogize the colonization of space with the voyages of Columbus, or opening of the West. The problem is, once Columbus got to the New World, there were obvious business opportunies-there were resources to exploit, land to cultivate, people to enslave ( OK, the SF old timers usually skipped over that last).
There really is no good business reason for establishing an O'Neill colony or building a domed City on Mars. Solar powersats probably aren't enough. Anyway, I'm probably just ranting to no purpose at thispoint.
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It's non-fiction, but you should read this:
http://www.amazon.com/Step-Farther-O.../dp/0441785832
Once we're out there, there are truly massive lumps of high yield metal/ore just lying (flying) around for the taking. It's the first step into orbit that's the hardest.
Edit: Kindle link
http://www.amazon.com/A-Step-Farther.../dp/B004XTKFWW
Andrew