I prefer to use to term space habitation or space settlement when describing the idea of humans living off Earth. I prefer these terms because I am more comfortable with the image in my head that is associated with these two terms; I am more comfortable with the metaphor created by the term space habitation and space settlement.
Focus on the term “space colonization” and the metaphor created by the term. What’s the first imagine that comes to your mind. What would you compare space colonization to if you where trying to explain to idea to someone. Basically, since a metaphor is when A = B, space colonization equals colonialism.
In my schooling experience, I have allows found the colonial period to be projected negatively. My history books where filled with one travesty after another in the chapters that covered with time period. the colonizers where displayed as a fire consuming everything it their path, leaving of trail of destruction and suffering. When we say space colonization, we connect it with those travesties; we become that fire. Thus, the metaphor created by the term “space colonization” might unsettle people.
Space habitation and space settlement are still metaphors and still can be metaphorically linked to travesties, but these terms are move connected to settling in deserted areas whereas colonialism focused on setting up in pre-existed countries. It’s a same difference, but, in the PR battle we must fight to achieve space habitation, we must do everything we can to gain an edge.
Reactions
-My blog post is based on a few assumptions and I’m not sure those assumptions are right. So here are some areas that need to be challenged :
Is it a bad idea to connect space colonization to the colonial period? Maybe we should investigate the ethical issues involved?
When you where in school, was the colonial period projected negatively?
Can one even compare space colonization to the colonial period?
Do the travesties committed during the colonial period even apply to space colonization?
Resources
Geary, James. "James Geary, Metaphorically Speaking" December 2009. Online video clip. TED. Accessed on 29 December 2009. <http://www.ted.com/talks/james_geary_metaphorically_speaking.html>
In Case You Skimmed
- It will be detrimental to connect the colonial period to space habitation.
