Before refrigeration was invented, the only way to stop food going rotten was to use either salt or spices. That meant spices were very expensive in places where they didn't grow so it became a big economic opportunity when people started sailing around the world.

Don't forget about the progress in nanotech and AI. Eric Drexler said something about making spacecrafts from ultralight (and printed on atomically-precise manufacturing devices) materials which would allow taking family weekend trips to space. And we also very well might be in a good shape (genetics, nanobots) even by our 100-s. In my view, there is a high possibility of people going to Mars on their personal vehicles. Care to write about nanotechnologies a bit more? Good talk, guys.

Did you chat at all with SpaceX about the challenges of colonizing Mars (e.g., low-g, radiation, toxic levels of perchlorate dust, etc.)?

Interesting input...I think it should have been a little shorter...

Ok this section is comical. Sorry Tim, I really hope you do read this, but you're thinking the IOHawk is the original, and the chinese ones are knockoffs? The IOHawk people (and ALL american sellers) contact chinese companies on alibaba and get them in bulk for 200, change the hubcaps, slap on their logo, and sell it for 3-10x. Thats why he offered it to you for a "special deal" for 400.

'theres a time when i really want magnets and a time when i really want silly putty. those are very diff times' -tim urban

Andrew and I discuss the SpaceX post. In what turned into a 90-minute discussion, we get into a lot of topics, including the process of researching and writing the SpaceX post, the experience of working with Elon Musk through the process, a bunch of stuff about Mars and how colonization actually might work, the SpaceX internet satellite project, mass extinction events and why they suck, the best toys to take to the International Space Station, why I think it's fine never to exercise.

Comments

larrikin.fm

Blackstar

Zlasher

SisiFerrari!

Steven Remsen

Dmitry

mattrestivo

mattrestivo

I-TOWN

Brian Carroll 31