A City on Mars: Can We Settle Space, Should We Settle Space, and Have We Really Thought This Through?

by Kelly Weinersmith

“The earth is the cradle of humanity, but one cannot forever live in the cradle.” Perhaps. But we should remember that what emerges from a cradle is not a full-grown adult, but a toddler—lacking in knowledge, very excited, and prone to self-destruction. If we do plan to leave this place, better to do so as an adult. Let’s spend the awkward years learning and then strike out for new vistas.

An Earth with climate change and nuclear war and, like, zombies and werewolves is still a way better place than Mars. Staying alive on Earth requires fire and a pointy stick. Staying alive in space will require all sorts of high-tech gadgets we can barely manufacture on Earth.

In a room full of animals, the gorilla may not be the wisest, but you probably want to know what’s on its mind.

If you judge a public figure only by public speeches, you are making a terrible mistake.

Our ability to harm ourselves vastly outweighs our ability to protect ourselves.

Going to the stars will not make us wise. We have to become wise if we want to go to the stars.