Dark Skies: Space Expansionism, Planetary Geopolitics, and the Ends of Humanity

Space is again in the headlines, with e-billionaires Jeff Bezos and Elon Musk planning to colonize Mars. President Trump wanted a Space Force to achieve space dominance with expensive high-tech weapons. However, Daniel Deudney argues in his book "Dark Skies" that the Space Age has increased the likelihood of global nuclear war and that we live on Oasis Earth, surrounded by an utterly desolate and inhospitable wilderness. He argues that space colonization will produce new threats to human survival and not alleviate the existing ones, and that we should fully relinquish the quest.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 464 pages
Publication date: 14 November 2022
Publisher: Oxford University Press Inc

Space is once again making headlines as e-billionaires Jeff Bezos and Elon Musk plan to colonize Mars. President Trump has expressed his desire for a Space Force to achieve space dominance through expensive high-tech weapons. The space and nuclear arms control regimes are showing signs of weakness and disintegration.

Would-be asteroid collision diverters, space solar energy collectors, asteroid miners, and space geo-engineers are persistently promoting their Earth-changing mega-projects. Given the many looming planetary catastrophes, such as extreme climate change and runaway artificial superintelligence, seeking solutions beyond Earth seems like a sensible strategy for humanity. Bolstered by a global network of passionate space advocates and made plausible by oceans of science fiction and the wizardry of modern cinema, space beckons as a fully hopeful path for human survival and flourishing in increasingly dark times.

However, despite even basic questions of feasibility, it remains to be seen whether these many space ventures will have desirable effects, as their advocates insist. In his groundbreaking book, Dark Skies, Daniel Deudney argues that the Space Age has had a major consequence: it has increased the likelihood of global nuclear war. This fact is often overlooked due to the misconception that nuclear-armed ballistic missiles are not considered space weapons.

The most important practical finding of Space Age science, which is rarely emphasized, is the discovery that we live on Oasis Earth, a tiny and fragile planet teeming with astonishing life, surrounded by an utterly desolate and inhospitable wilderness stretching at least many trillions of miles in all directions. This realization underscores the importance of preserving and protecting our planet, as we face numerous challenges on a global scale.

As we continue to explore and expand our presence in space, it is crucial to consider the long-term consequences of our actions. We must ensure that our space activities do not exacerbate existing conflicts or lead to the proliferation of weapons in space. Additionally, we must prioritize the exploration and discovery of new technologies that can help us mitigate the effects of climate change and protect our planet from other threats.

In conclusion, space is once again a hot topic in the headlines, and there are many exciting developments on the horizon. However, we must approach these endeavors with caution and responsibility, ensuring that we prioritize the well-being and survival of all life on Earth. By working together and exploring new frontiers, we can create a positive future for ourselves and future generations.

Weight: 648g
Dimension: 154 x 234 x 30 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780197656495