From: Robin Hanson (hanson@hss.caltech.edu)
Date: Tue Dec 31 1996 - 12:04:08 MST
Michael Lorrey writes:
>Based on this historical example, I would say that the company that
>builds the first linear induction mass driver could become the defacto
>power on the Moon, and would be in a superior position to prevent Earth
>authorities from putting up an argument about it.
This is plausible for *self-sufficient* colonies, but I'm not sure
otherwise.
>WHy? because the exchange of military might is for the most part, and in
>the strategic sense, a competition of cost effectiveness.
>... Being at the top of
>the gravity well with a large resource base puts you on top of the
>highest hill around with a huge store of ammo.
Sure, your cost of throwing rocks is lower. But your costs of all the
rest of your economy may be much higher.
Robin D. Hanson hanson@hss.caltech.edu http://hss.caltech.edu/~hanson/
This archive was generated by hypermail 2.1.5 : Fri Nov 01 2002 - 14:35:56 MST