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Comment by javajosh | Hacker News Reader

I'll never understand those who don't want to travel to space. It's an enormous universe we live in, and here we are, on one (admittedly awesome) planet. There is a great deal to learn, and many adventures to be had! Note that this same conversation has happened many times in human history; some people are home bodies, some people crave adventure, and ne'er the twain shall meet. It's a deep-seated personality trait, and you can't reason people out of either position.

The other point (which is really why I responded) is to note that space travel isn't just for humans. Robots, especially AI-driven robots, may be able to explore and exploit our solar system far better than bio humans ever could. It would make a nice division of responsibility: we get the Earth and her unique and valuable biosphere, they get the rest of the system and it's vast resources. I believe the relationship could be deeply symbiotic and fruitful for both cultures.

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> > has happened many times in human history

Nope , this is the first time that you won't find water, plants, air when you arrive at destination.

Also the first time that you'll have to live forever in a spacesuit, also the first time you won't be able to feel the elements on your skin, say goodbye to rain, wind, sun on your skin , smell of flowers, smell of rain on the soil etc. and whatever alien elements you find there, you cannot feel either because you have to be in a spacesuit the whole time.

The only thing that maybe are better there than on Earth are the visuals, but that's also a question mark, not every planet has a first row view of the Pillars of Creation. At the same time the view of the Milky Way from Earthly spots such as the Atacama Desert is pretty spectacular, and for everything else there is Hubble + VR.

Okay, but you kind of totally ignored my second paragraph.

Question rises to me: what good could us offer to this AI?

Remember that Life has been around like 5 billion years - a continuous computation running on the most sophisticated computer in existence. I don't think we fully appreciate how special Life is, how special we are. It's likely that some manufacturing techniques will be best done, perhaps only done, by humans on Earth. There are many materials (organic ones) that are more abundant here than elsewhere - and in a more convenient location. The solar system is something like a vast desert; the Earth is like a great city. I would imagine that it will take a long time for space-based manufacturing to eclipse that of Earth, and perhaps it never will, for some things. Then of course there is the inherent interest in biological life - tourism, basically. It's hard to say because we don't really know what's possible out there. But I guarantee some products and services will remain economical to provide only on Earth in the long run. (I mean, if you posit magical nanotech then sure, we can't trade. But I think the future is more limited, and interesting, than that.)

Oh, another thing we can offer is 'reboot services' in the event of intense Solar activity. In return, maybe they can deflect an asteroid or comet for us. I think it will work out!

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