this post was submitted on 02 Nov 2024
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[–] [email protected] 4 points 3 weeks ago (2 children)

I think that's a pretty wild take given the state of NASA right now. The only way I could see anything like that happening would be the GPS model, where the DoD build out StarShield for military purposes, then realise it'd be a net good for civilians to have ubiquitus global internet services. Even then, that would compete with existing non-SpaceX services which is antithetical to NASAs principles and would be considered 'socialism' by half of America.

Asteroid mining is really in the hands of governments. While space is basically a free-for-all on an international level, each nation can levy whatever conditions and taxes they like on their own enterprise. If companies tried to 'flag' themselves with low-tax nations, then I think other nations could levy tariffs and prevent access to technology to make that unattractive. Either way, a significant portion should end up in government budgets.

I'd rather private equity invest in more forward looking technology than LLMs or finance. There just needs to be a balance where it's still attractive for them to invest, but as much of the value as reasonable gets distributed in lifting up the quality of life here on earth.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 3 weeks ago

It wasn't meant to be realistic... my preference would have been for NASA to have been better and more reliably funded for the last several decades. Having private equity and the military industrial complex reap the rewards instead is the worst possible acceptable alternative with space imo. It is too noble an endeavor for the free market, to my old fashioned thinking.

[–] julietOscarEcho 3 points 3 weeks ago

"needs to be a balance" this is exactly the problem right. There is zero balance, to the extent that even projects that set out to be operated for the benefit of humanity (open AI, looking at you) get converted to just enrich the already ludicrously wealthy. The corporation is a lever to concentrate wealth. Really important projects being closely controlled by billionaires is the natural consequence of this. Their unfettered power puts us all at risk from their capriciousness.