In a recent conversation with some environmentalists about the need for humanity to be in space, at scale, they tried to convince me that it was wasted money, which would be better spent improving the human condition here on Earth. I like environmentalists. I studied to be one myself, and know the lingo, so said that the two goals were not mutually exclusive, and that it was not a zero-sum game. Everyone could be a winner with the addition of a new frontier for humanity to explore. Concrete examples of taking dirty industries off-world, technology gains for energy exploitation, and existential hope were also discussed. After much back and forth, I was in the end, labeled a “Space Zealot”. I’m certain that it was meant as a pejorative.
After thinking about it for a while, I decided I liked the moniker, and will wear it like a badge of honor.
Jared Freedman, Space Zealot
Ad Astra!
