Question: Do humans have a ‘Manifest Destiny’ to colonize the rest of the Solar System or the Universe?
by Krittika Sharma
“Look again at that dot. That’s here. That’s home. That’s us. On it, everyone you love, everyone you know, everyone you ever heard of, every human being who ever was, lived out their lives.”
The quote above, attributed to the late Carl Sagan, encapsulates the profound realization of humanity's place in the vast cosmos. Sagan, a renowned astrophysicist and science communicator, emphasized the fragility and interconnectedness of life on Earth through his work. His words serve as a reminder of our collective responsibility to cherish and protect our planet while also inspiring curiosity and exploration beyond our celestial home.
His iconic words resonate and continue on with more depth and today, it’s clearer than ever before that space travel and the idea of finding life beyond Earth, or the possibility of colonizing the Universe, has become a serious one. While the word “colonize” may sound evolutionary, it can also seem aggressive, implying ownership over what we believe should belong to us. Wonder in science fiction, new age technologies, and inventions enable us to dream, however, it may be particularly relevant to examine the term as we hope to find something new, possibly because we are destroying our only current residence.
For more than 30 years, India’s only cosmonaut, Wg. Cdr. Rakesh Sharma (RETD), has been sharing his message to different audiences around the world that what we do in our home determines the behaviors and biases that we may carry with us to space. We assume that the grass is greener on the other side, or in this case, as far as the eye can see. From the time space exploration began, and as our knowledge base continues to expand, many unknowns await us. This is a crucial reason as to why we need to venture into space as one: humankind.
Wg. Cdr. Sharma remarks, “Borders are not visible from space. I think we need to make things work here before we start colonizing elsewhere. Otherwise, what we will be doing is really exporting conflict into space.”
As he eloquently says that we’ve tried all the “isms” and the time has come to focus on humanism. Familiarity doesn’t care for what’s good or bad, only for what’s known. We need to enter unknown territories with a foundation of deep values as a collective moral responsibility.
Like the philosophy and the construct of Gundam, which enables new ideas from a younger generation that finds their purpose and struggle, we must also consider whether we, as a race, are ready for evolutionary change. The Gundam universe illustrates how technological advancements and human struggles can coexist, highlighting the importance of ethical considerations and personal growth in the face of new frontiers. It underscores that technological power must be balanced with morality.
The late American futurist and self-taught social engineer, Jacque Fresco, proposed a resource-based economy where technology and science could be harnessed to improve living standards globally, ensuring equitable distribution of resources. His vision included sustainable cities, advanced automation, and global cooperation, fostering a society that prioritizes environmental harmony and human well-being over profit.
Fresco stated, “The intelligent use of science and technology, along with environmental concern and human values, can achieve a lifestyle that is more fulfilling than any in history.”
AI is a popular subject and will be integral to the future of space colonization, augmenting human capabilities and ensuring the sustainability and safety of outer-world endeavors. By automating routine and hazardous tasks, optimizing resource use, and enhancing decision-making processes, AI will enable humanity to establish and maintain colonies on other planets, which could turn the dream of interplanetary living into reality.
However, in this present moment, we are watching how AI has a dark shadow, with immense threats from the perspective of privacy as AI systems can collect and analyze vast amounts of personal data, often without a user’s explicit consent. There's the risk of bias in AI algorithms, which could further perpetuate and even amplify existing societal inequalities, discrimination and conflict. There also is the potential misuse of AI in areas such as surveillance, autonomous weapons, and cyberattacks that could present profound ethical and security challenges. These threats necessitate careful regulation, ethical considerations, and ongoing dialogue, which have begun in multiple industries to mitigate potential harms while harnessing AI's benefits.
The task of finding a new home requires a holistic human effort. We have the policy makers, the business communities, scientists, technologists, and lawyers drawing plans and chartering the future. While they play a significant role from a governance, monetary, domain, and policy standpoint, we need more voices to be heard.
We need to learn from agriculturists about growing food in space, speak to makers about designing appropriate artifacts, and the medical community to prepare for the physiological, emotional and intellectual components to enable long duration space travels. But most importantly, we need economists, sustainability experts, historians, and anthropologists to create a playbook of collective human wisdom. This should document how various civilizations have thrived on Earth, drawing from ancient scriptures, finding the evergreen philosophies that have stood the test of time, and the relationship we so desperately need to follow to sustain and conserve the generous but limited resources we have been gifted as our moral blueprints. We need futurists to examine all available information and guide the big picture. We need equal voices on the table that we currently exist and make room for newer opportunities and voices that we are yet to uncover in this quest.
Earth must be the testing ground to prove whether humanity is competent in finding another home. If we fail to do so, we’re more likely to design an avoidance framework, repeating our grave mistakes and seeking short-term gains. Are we running away, or do we want to find more homes to have many sustainable choices? Currently, it’s safe to say we are not spoiled for choice.
What we don’t know may often make space exploration sound utopian. People imagine serene landscapes, social media worthy backdrops, new fashion trends and space tourism without long term thinking into what it takes to create utopia, or a neutral path at the very least. But how much do we live that way today?
Those who live in alignment with our ecosystem know the effort it takes — from conserving water, making ethical choices in every aspect of their choices, moving away from the rat race to seeking responsible wellbeing, and sacrificing/cohabiting with a sense of awareness.
A parallel that comes to mind is a Dune-like environment that is equally, if not more probable outside Earth because similar conditions such as extreme climates, resource scarcity, and environmental degradation are already happening here due to climate change. There is a collective intent towards conservation and consumption accounted for even in their world for their very survival. Droughts, floods, and other extreme weather events are increasing in frequency and severity, highlighting how fragile our ecosystems are and how challenging it would be to create and maintain habitable environments on other planets. The lessons we learn from managing and mitigating these issues on Earth will be crucial in guiding our efforts to establish sustainable colonies and building new orders in space.
On the other hand, we see the impact of stripping planets of their resources, rendering them bareboned due to militaristic efficiency in the Warhammer 40,000 universe where humanity's philosophy on sustainability is deeply intertwined with its survivalist ethos and authoritarian governance. The Imperium of Man is perpetually at war, struggling to maintain its dominance over countless worlds against numerous alien threats and internal chaos. This dystopian approach highlights a stark contrast to sustainable practices, emphasizing the dire consequences of prioritizing short-term survival, greed and power over the stewardship of natural resources and environmental health, which directly number the days of humanity as we know it.
Throughout history, numerous tribal cultures around the world have worshipped nature, reflecting a deep reverence for the natural world and its elements. These cultures often see nature as a living entity with its own spirit and consciousness, integrating their spiritual beliefs with their daily lives and environment.
Take Bali as an example where they practice the tradition of Nyepi (also known as the Day of Silence). It is a unique and deeply spiritual annual event that reflects the island's rich cultural and religious heritage. Nyepi marks the Balinese New Year in the Saka calendar and is primarily observed by its Hindu inhabitants. It is dedicated to the deity Sanghyang Widi Wasa, symbolizing the purification and rejuvenation of the natural world and human spirit.
Nyepi is meant for introspection, self-reflection, and prayer, providing an opportunity for the community to cleanse their minds and souls from negative influences and start the new year afresh. It gives nature a chance to breathe and rejuvenate. This day of enforced rest also fosters a strong sense of community and collective spiritual growth, as the Balinese people come together to observe these rituals.
In a broader sense, Nyepi serves as a reminder of the importance of balance between human life and nature, and the interconnectedness of all living beings. This tradition shows how cultural practices can align with ecological mindfulness and community well-being, offering valuable lessons for sustainable living and spiritual renewal. Simply put, we need to be in service of our resources as much as they are unconditionally there for us.
From a history marked by plunder, greed, and colonization, our approach must urgently shift to one of collaboration and harmony, enabling us to take sustainable steps with heightened consciousness. The pursuit of unlimited consumption and profit provides only short-term solutions, resulting in devastating long-term impacts that we are already witnessing. We need to prototype and test this proof of concept right here on Earth. The examination of human nature is imperative, possibly elevating the 'V' in the STEEPV model above its counterparts. Fortunately, we already have access to numerous philosophies, frameworks, and practical examples to build upon — perhaps starting with constructing a future for humankind here. Drawing from the ancient texts of the Upanishads, a Sanskrit phrase feels apt to conclude: Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam: The world is one family.
Author’s Special Note: I dedicate this article to the most iconic futurist I know, Wg. Cdr. Rakesh Sharma (RETD), Cosmonaut, fondly known as my father, who envisions a future that will not only make us human again but also protect the only home we currently know. We celebrated his 40th year launch anniversary this year.
To learn more about Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma's experience in space, check out the following video on YouTube, "Antariksh."
Krittika Sharma is a behavior design leader for Health and Life Sciences at Fractal, a multinational data analytics and AI company. She is the founder and creative director of Maajhi, which empowers people with tools and experiences to approach end-of-life care with dignity. Krittika has been published in the Handbook on Happiness (Chapter: A Multidisciplinary Approach to Understanding Wellbeing in Dying). She also teaches an annual course at Karunashraya, an award-winning hospice in South India, and has conducted multiple global workshops and spoken at international conferences on end-of-life care. As an enthusiastic futurist, she has been involved in numerous initiatives shaping the future of end-of-life care, healthcare, customer experience, sustainability, and more. Additionally, she is a writer, singer, and death meditation facilitator. Krittika holds a Master's degree in Strategic Foresight and Innovation from OCAD U.
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