Some in Power, Some in Pain: A Symphonic Meditation on Humanity and Space

Abstract

Conceived as a short symphony in four brief movements, this paper begins with a statement of optimistic confidence that, over the 21st century, humanity will move off Earth and begin the speciation of human (and transformed) intelligences throughout the solar system and beyond. This is countered by a second movement that fears that the weaponization of space and the military destruction of Earth from space may prevail instead, while a third movement argues that money spent on space should better be spent on ending world hunger and poverty, and preventing or ameliorating global climate change. The fourth movement urges the space community to use their exceptional talents to relieve hunger and avoid climate change, while also lifting humanity peacefully into the cosmos.