Flaws in Aspirational Arguments for Space Settlement

Many arguments advocating for space settlements rely on overly optimistic claims that space colonization could solve pressing global issues like climate change, poverty, and war. However, there is little evidence to support these assertions, and they often stem from misconceptions rather than rigorous scholarship. The environmental benefits of relocating industry and population to space may not materialize in a timely or cost-effective manner, and the belief that space travel inherently unites humanity is largely anecdotal, lacking empirical support. Furthermore, the challenges of human reproduction and sustaining life in space remain largely unaddressed, raising significant questions about the feasibility of such ambitious projects.