Dark Skies

More about the book

Space is back in the spotlight as e-billionaires Jeff Bezos and Elon Musk aim to colonize Mars, while President Trump pushes for a "Space Force" to secure "space dominance" with advanced weaponry. The frameworks for space and nuclear arms control are deteriorating, and various ambitious projects—from asteroid collision diversters to space solar energy collectors—are being promoted as solutions to Earth's pressing issues, including climate change and artificial superintelligence. While the allure of space offers a hopeful vision for humanity's future, critical questions arise about the feasibility and actual impact of these ventures. In a groundbreaking analysis, Daniel Deudney argues that the "Space Age" has inadvertently heightened the risk of global nuclear conflict, a reality often overlooked due to the misconception that nuclear-armed ballistic missiles are not space weapons. He emphasizes that we inhabit a fragile "Oasis Earth," surrounded by an inhospitable void. Deudney contends that focusing on space colonization may introduce new dangers rather than mitigate current threats, advocating for a shift in priorities back to Earth. His thought-provoking insights challenge conventional beliefs about humanity's relationship with the cosmos.