To infinity and beyond (the debt crisis)
 

Well it started with space tourism for the ultra rich.
Now they are contemplating space mining:
A Quixotic Quest to Mine Asteroids

In theory, zero gravity, absolute vacuum and extremely low temperatures are als0 great "potentials" for the production of industrialized or specialized products. I will not go in the economics of all this, but let's remember that Columbus went west for profits rather than exporation for its own sake (well that's what he said to the king of Spain).

Personaly I am still mooved by the "classical" astronaut raising a US flag. Wouldn't mind if it was a UN or an Indian flag for that matter. I am not sure how I would feel if the flag said: " Property of Wal-Mart Stores, Inc."

:o

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I don't know either. Question I would be quite worried is: how long it would take from companies to establish their own space fleets defend their interests? :hmmm:

It doesn't matter if its nations, politicians or companies though - it would be all equally ridiculous.
"Defending" :rotfl2: , right, why give up those good old habits when it has worked in the stone age.
I just think when we prefer to kill others because of their belief, way of life or criticizing us, we have not deserved to live on, as a species.

But after all "we" have to go forth and colonize, otherwise we will be wiped out sooner or later, either by ourselves, some big meteorite or our sun. Only a question of time ..

Roll out the banners "Yes, she can !!"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UBC85Uui8BU

From 1:30 on :O:

True. Its just which one your prefer more - plague or cholera?
Yeah and in this case the old good excuse - wealth - is "in stake".
In case there is sentinent and smart life in galaxy with ability to travel between stars... Unfortunately I have to say that it would be stupid (and potentially suicidial) for them to let humankind get out from their own mudball.

Mining on the moon. Space tourism, space and moon hotels. Orbital elevators. Google's glasses taken one step further. Virtual reality melting into real reality. Flying hoverbikes. Hightech centres in Chinese slums. All trends of the present, projected just some years into the future - this book has it all.
On 1300 pages. :D

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Limit-Frank-...5096013&sr=8-4

Utopic, but based on technological standards we already see today.

hey, this is just like eve online, but in real life!

if you haven't played it yet, eve online is the perfect capitalism simulator. It is where players form corporations, banks, cartels, and engage in trade wars. I guess you must be really into capitalism before you would try to work your way up the corporate ladder in a video game

[sarcasm]Hey, whatever works to keep people and nations from having to live within their means :up: [/sarcasm]

In German... :wah:

I never realised :oops:

Well, get off your imperial behind then and finally learn a proper language.:O:

*No one in the Lolwaffles rapes the German language more frequently and severely than Oberon*

Schätzing's "Der Schwarm" was such a bestseller that it got translated into English. Formidable thriller, btw. Maybe "Limit" sees a translation, too. But it may not be likely, unfortunately. It is a solid and interesting book, but does not sell as successful as The Swarm.

I recommend his "Nachrichten aus einem unbekannten Universum" also. A non-fictional, very readable book about how life unfolded in the water world throughout the various eras, and the geological and atmospheric evolutions Earth has seen.

Have read Schaetzing's Limit, a believable view of the near future, with a lot of technological knowledge behind it. It is a bit long for the message though, but entertaining.
Not much good science ficion being written lately ..

I remember reading a science-fiction short story as a boy, which involved companies building advertising signs on the moon so large they could be read from earth. :dead:

I read something that mentioned the same thing, as well as giant orbitting advertisments. I can't remember what it was though... :damn: