Future AI: The Explorer and the Philosopher

centauri-dreams.org

I have yet to read a compelling formal engineering argument as to why humans are the best vehicle for a long term space exploration system. I've long argued that increasingly complex probes, eventually leading to a generally intelligent stellar exploration system, would be the most efficient way to understand the universe.

I wish people would just admit that human space exploration isn't really about optimized scientific exploration to increase knowledge, but about adventure and excitement.

I thought the idea was always more about colonization. Diversify the species extinction risk. Spread through the galaxy.

I think one of the most interesting questions of the next few [hundred|thousand|?] years will be whether humans move on to new planets (or moons, etc?), or whether humans will construct stations or habitats of some sort in Earth's orbit?

Or both, maybe? It could be that we try to, for example, go live on Mars, find out that it isn't worth it or feasible or something, and then go with Earth-orbit habitats.

Or maybe, neither.

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