I think framing it as “deep sea mining allows us to build a billion electric cars” is not something I could support. How about eliminating cancer? Solving world hunger? Ending war? Reversing climate extinction? What is actually worth irreversible environmental extraction? More cars for tech bros isn’t it.
I think it’s beyond digitalizing our life. Humans can’t leave anything alone. In my actual profession, architecture — the one that pays, unlike writing — we talk about “highest and best use. And that phrase never means a park, a garden, or anything that makes life more enjoyable. It always means a taller building, more concrete, more profit. The instinct isn’t to preserve; it’s to consume everything.
The reason I believe is because humans are constantly discovering new ways of digitalizing our life and experiences. Our activities each day require some minerals; and more and more of them will be needed as digitalization expands.
As an example of new products, think of humanoid robots which are expected to rapidly be commercialized in the coming years. Yes they may make our life more convenient but they need several kilograms of metals for their manufacture.
I think framing it as “deep sea mining allows us to build a billion electric cars” is not something I could support. How about eliminating cancer? Solving world hunger? Ending war? Reversing climate extinction? What is actually worth irreversible environmental extraction? More cars for tech bros isn’t it.
I think it’s beyond digitalizing our life. Humans can’t leave anything alone. In my actual profession, architecture — the one that pays, unlike writing — we talk about “highest and best use. And that phrase never means a park, a garden, or anything that makes life more enjoyable. It always means a taller building, more concrete, more profit. The instinct isn’t to preserve; it’s to consume everything.
Why can't we humans leave a spot untouched by us? Ugh.
The reason I believe is because humans are constantly discovering new ways of digitalizing our life and experiences. Our activities each day require some minerals; and more and more of them will be needed as digitalization expands.
As an example of new products, think of humanoid robots which are expected to rapidly be commercialized in the coming years. Yes they may make our life more convenient but they need several kilograms of metals for their manufacture.