Thoughts on space colonisation

Abstract

The viability of space colonization as a means of reducing existential risks (s-risks) is examined by considering the costs and benefits of such an endeavor. The author argues that the current costs of space travel are prohibitive but may become more manageable with technological advancements. However, even if the cost of travel is no longer an obstacle, the harsh conditions of space make it unlikely that other planets will be as hospitable as Earth, suggesting that space is more comparable to Antarctica than the Americas. Although the possibility of advanced artificial intelligence enabling terraforming is acknowledged, the author believes that economic and technological constraints will continue to be relevant. Furthermore, it is argued that while space exploration and even small colonies are not s-risks, large-scale expansion to space may lead to the creation of more sentient beings, potentially increasing the scale of suffering. While acknowledging the potential for mitigating s-risks through space exploration and resource utilization, the author emphasizes that the technological capacity to create large amounts of suffering is the primary concern, not human population size or colonization. - AI-generated abstract.