Sean Carroll's Mindscape: Science, Society, Philosophy, Culture, Arts, and Ideas 256 | Kelly and Zach Weinersmith on Building Cities on the Moon and Mars
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Nov 13, 2023 Kelly Weinersmith, an ecologist and adjunct professor, and Zach Weinersmith, the creator of the webcomic 'Saturday Morning Breakfast Cereal', dive into the ambitious topic of colonizing Mars and the Moon. They explore the complexities of human dynamics in space, including the challenges of maintaining relationships and the importance of self-sustaining ecosystems. Their discussion touches on the ethical implications of terraforming, the physiological hurdles of raising humans in low gravity, and the intriguing lessons learned from the Biosphere 2 experiment.
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Sex in Space?
- Zach Weinersmith believes the likelihood of sex in space is low due to constant monitoring on the ISS and the historical lack of women in space.
- He suggests that if it happened, it was likely on a less monitored Russian space station.
Focus on Planetary Settlements
- Focus on establishing a sustainable settlement on the Moon or Mars, rather than zero-g environments.
- Consider the logistical and biological challenges of long-term human habitation in these locations.
Key Challenges of Space Settlement
- Building a self-sustaining space settlement involves creating a survival bubble, shielding from radiation, and establishing a local ecosystem.
- Key challenges include providing consumables, protecting against radiation, growing food and oxygen, and ensuring reproductive capabilities.
