Brilliant! This really captures what I love about UT. Technological optimism and a vision for the future based on abundance is the only antidote I can see to the ills of late modernity. We humans have innovated ourselves out of every jam we've encountered so far, from the end of the Pleistocene climate of central Africa for which we are evolved, and the extinction of the megafauna we hunted, right up to 'peak oil'. Banish the fear and histeria of the social media driven endless 'now' and take the long view!
The biggest mystery to me is the connection between liberalism and innovation. Is liberalism a precondition to an innovative society, or did the two arise in Western Europe at the same time from the same causes? Your series on the industrial revolution only left me more uncertain if social and material progress produces technology, or if causality runs the other way. History as progress as an "iron law" is a fundamental tenant of liberalism. When Zhou Enlai was asked about the impact of the French Revolution, he replied "It's too soon to say."
From what I read the quote about the French Revolution seems wiser than it is. He thought it was referring to the recent French « Revolution » of 1968.
I really like this new format! Very fun and educational read, does a great job of sparking my own imagination to start thinking about this problem space. Feels very on brand for UT. Shouldn't replace the more detailed articles of course but I'd love to see more like this, especially as the first in a series.
Don't you think unlocking near unlimited energy would be a disaster for earth? It could mean a reprieve for fossil fuels (because there will be ways to counteract the emissions, for some period of time) and mining lower and lower grade ores would be possible, destroying much of the remaining habitat for other species. However, there is not a lot of time left for AGI to figure out fusion, and for the appropriate infrastructure to be built.
No, I don’t worry at all. You’ll see why in upcoming articles. I haven’t written them yet, but I feel they’re coming, and I’ve already done the research!
I think there is a potential future where humans realize that the best path forward is taking advantage of the vast deposits of resources in space, which with hypothetical unlimited energy and AGI we could find ways to utilize that make them truly feasible. Where home (Earth) is maintained/preserved because no civilization likes to sh*t where they eat if you catch my meaning
I think I can safely say that that's not going to happen. If it did get started, humans would have done so much damage to where they eat, by then, that civilisation could not continue. Civilisation has already done enormous damage and there is no reason to think that won't continue.
Great article. Would be nice to see a similar format with potential build up of a colony/settlement and what resources it will take to setup a colony. I believe SpaceX is already working on a plan right now.
Loved the format, very engaging. I was definitely disappointed when it ended. More articles on AI please! Timing and predictions would be appreciated, as I'm not too excited about major upheavals of society.
Real estate implies some ownership of property with a shared legal system and rights to property. On the other hand we speak of colonizing Mars as opposing states. Lots to work out when you open the store
The fact that different states form doesn´t mean that ownership will be abolished.
I think Martians will have to work hard for everything, and rely on a lot of help. Plus they will be self-selected. My guess is property rights are among the most likely rights to stay relevant on Mars
Brilliant! This really captures what I love about UT. Technological optimism and a vision for the future based on abundance is the only antidote I can see to the ills of late modernity. We humans have innovated ourselves out of every jam we've encountered so far, from the end of the Pleistocene climate of central Africa for which we are evolved, and the extinction of the megafauna we hunted, right up to 'peak oil'. Banish the fear and histeria of the social media driven endless 'now' and take the long view!
I think this is how things tend to go!
I don’t know yet if it’s an iron law or a good heuristic. I intend to figure it out!
The biggest mystery to me is the connection between liberalism and innovation. Is liberalism a precondition to an innovative society, or did the two arise in Western Europe at the same time from the same causes? Your series on the industrial revolution only left me more uncertain if social and material progress produces technology, or if causality runs the other way. History as progress as an "iron law" is a fundamental tenant of liberalism. When Zhou Enlai was asked about the impact of the French Revolution, he replied "It's too soon to say."
https://unchartedterritories.tomaspueyo.com/p/freedom-will-always-win
From what I read the quote about the French Revolution seems wiser than it is. He thought it was referring to the recent French « Revolution » of 1968.
But yes! A crucial debate
I really like this new format! Very fun and educational read, does a great job of sparking my own imagination to start thinking about this problem space. Feels very on brand for UT. Shouldn't replace the more detailed articles of course but I'd love to see more like this, especially as the first in a series.
I'm very glad to hear! Thanks for the feedback. Yes, tried to have some fun with it. And don't worry, the next ones are going to be quite intense!
Don't you think unlocking near unlimited energy would be a disaster for earth? It could mean a reprieve for fossil fuels (because there will be ways to counteract the emissions, for some period of time) and mining lower and lower grade ores would be possible, destroying much of the remaining habitat for other species. However, there is not a lot of time left for AGI to figure out fusion, and for the appropriate infrastructure to be built.
No, I don’t worry at all. You’ll see why in upcoming articles. I haven’t written them yet, but I feel they’re coming, and I’ve already done the research!
I think there is a potential future where humans realize that the best path forward is taking advantage of the vast deposits of resources in space, which with hypothetical unlimited energy and AGI we could find ways to utilize that make them truly feasible. Where home (Earth) is maintained/preserved because no civilization likes to sh*t where they eat if you catch my meaning
I will soon publish on this!
I think I can safely say that that's not going to happen. If it did get started, humans would have done so much damage to where they eat, by then, that civilisation could not continue. Civilisation has already done enormous damage and there is no reason to think that won't continue.
I have a project to address this in detail. Hopefully, one day...
Would be nice to work on a cost breakdown on sending settlement spaceships with humans/resources/tech etc
I have it!
Great article. Would be nice to see a similar format with potential build up of a colony/settlement and what resources it will take to setup a colony. I believe SpaceX is already working on a plan right now.
I have articles on that! But not with that format :/
Loved the format, very engaging. I was definitely disappointed when it ended. More articles on AI please! Timing and predictions would be appreciated, as I'm not too excited about major upheavals of society.
Glad to hear!
On AI... they're coming, they're coming!!
Real estate implies some ownership of property with a shared legal system and rights to property. On the other hand we speak of colonizing Mars as opposing states. Lots to work out when you open the store
The fact that different states form doesn´t mean that ownership will be abolished.
I think Martians will have to work hard for everything, and rely on a lot of help. Plus they will be self-selected. My guess is property rights are among the most likely rights to stay relevant on Mars
Amazing!
We should collaborate on this Tomas. I am interested in this topic.
The articles are written. I can send you a draft. Respond to one of my newsletters and I’ll see your email. I’ll share the draft with you that way.
I responded to one of your newsletter with my email address but i am not sure if you received it.
Found you and done!