Colonising Space and Tragedy of Commons

 When Apollo 11 landed on moon in 1969 Neil Armstrong was the first astronaut to disembark, he said these memorable line "That's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind". That truly was a giant step for humankind, so is the recent installation of Webb telescope or CERN experiments -though some disappointment for particle/experimental physics. Sputnik in 1957 and Vostok with Yuri Gagarin in 1961 though clouded under cold war animosity these too were giant step for humankind. These achievements are common heritage for humanity. Things have changed in recent times. Most recent attentions towards space are not benign nor for the benefit of humanity -although the euphemism is compelling. Market capitalism has churned out regrettable billionaires with severely limited intellect or responsible ways while they vandalized earth. The spectacle is choregraphed for the spectacular effect. Branding itself is a justification for higher intent. Market has projected these as smart solutions with obvious reference for billionaires as saviors. In this ecosystem of self-obsessive valuation of world everything is tagged and resourced to be exploited. Meanwhile severe climate breakdown and catastrophic effect on people and biodiversity is channelized as viral videos or mother nature’s wrath so on without any context or horrendous reality that humanity is being exposed. Market capitalism, religions and politicians have deep investment to keep the herd distracted as long as they can. Severity of climate breakdown though is causing consternation among increasing populace, they are jostled out of market goodies filled dreamworld choices into flash flood, heat waves, forest fire, very soon spiraling food prices. They see temples, mosques, churches, so on wash away, faith in material not holding, cozy negotiated sureties disappear, while politicians stutter. They are scampering for new narration to contain the herd. Incapable to factor reality herd will seek redemption in myth and fantasies, this momentary distractive respite is the peace that faith mongers offer.  

In 1967 UN Outer Space Treaty (OST) was signed, under this all countries have right to access space for peaceful scientific purpose while prohibiting sovereign appropriation of outer space. After depleting resources on earth there is a stampede by rich towards space, all packed in spectacular spectacle of distraction. In 2015 US enacted a new law (commercial space launch competitiveness law, whatever) that circumvents good intentions of OST and allows US companies the right to own and sell all that is resourced from space. A clear violation of international agreement to appease US billionaires. Terrestrial mining is the new threat that is facing us (as also deep sea floor mining). There is need to channelize terrestrial resources and not left to be plundered by anybody who can access. We are already witnessing tragedy of commons in accumulating space debris. There is an urgent need for new effective international legislation to protect space as our heritage. Moon as human heritage.

Two hundred years back naval and navigation technology became more sophisticated. Some countries were able to reach far off places and use advanced armaments to capture land and people to exploit for resources. Sophistication of technology did not advance humanity. It led to slavery and wanton exploitation. It led to colonization. Technological sophistication is not same as scientific achievement. Scientific achievements necessarily advance humanity. Science by its very framework is humanist. Technology meanwhile is a tool. It is limited by the humans that use it.