Guest: Daniel Suarez; Topics: We discussed Daniel's new book, "Critical Mass" in addition to many of the issues, technologies, problems, laws and regs plus economics needed to master for commercial asteroid mining to take place and make the differences for humanity suggested in the book and by our discussion.
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We welcomed Daniel Suarez back to the program, this time to discuss his latest book, "Critical Mass." This book follows his first book of his trilogy, "Delta-V" which you can hear discussed on The Space Show from April 22, 2019 at www.thespaceshow.com/show/22-apr-2019/broadcast-3302-daniel-suarez. Please visit Daniel's website for more information, www.daniel-suarez.com. As with other recent program archives, I suggest keying off the tags and key search terms for the main themes of our discussion plus the topics we focused on during our one hour thirty-eight minute conversation. While the tags, repeated below for your convenience, are not in the order in which they were discussed, each item represents a discussion point in our conversation and often a mini-presentation like discussion to thoroughly explore the issue represented by listener questions and the nature of the topic. Here are the tags:
"Daniel Suarez, Critical Mass, sequel to Delta-V, why the title, permanent human presence in space, space mining, climate change solutions, science, innovation, new technologies, commercial users vs. government players, designing a new space currency, space law for the space inhabitants, solving Earth's pending catastrophes, Space Solar Power challenges, democracy vs. totalitarianism, the CCP, new technology risk acceptance, bypassing existing laws and regulations to get started, asteroid mining, spin-gravity, food in space, rare-earth minerals, nuclear power and propulsion, transportation, gasoline energy per ounce, political partnerships, block chain, concern for finding microbial life, cislunar base and development, important timelines, Book 2 in the author's trilogy, ISS, new Cold War in space, unsanctioned commercial asteroid mining mission, the use of lunar orbit, deep space infrastructure."
What I found to be most interesting as a book theme, plus frequent discussion points in our program, was the fact that the "doers" started taking it on themselves to go to space, to make change, to work in the long run for a better Earth and humanity. In his story, the characters often just did what they had to do even if it meant bypassing or doing end runs around the rules, laws, institutions and such which probably would have prevented their actions and missions. We discussed this attitude quite a bit during the show, made multiple comparisons to our present day space industry and commercial sector. As of yet we do not see such defiance taking place to seek out space based solutions to many of Earth's problems. However, most terrestrial problems here on Earth today are not those described in this science fiction thriller by our guest. Since Daniel's story takes place in the near term future, perhaps he will have nailed it if we keep preventing ourselves from finding solutions to many of the destructive and divisive activities/policies we seem to put in front of us today.
Innovation was and is a key part of the story line. So was the development of space solar power, the development of space infrastructure, advanced engineering and real science. Real courage was all over the place with the characters and their mission. Developing a space law for those in space was a big part of the story but so was the development of blockchain and a new type of digital cyber currency which I found a bit complicated to follow.
It is also important to point out that the author certainly knows the space industry and is and was at home with it in writing this book plus his earlier books. Not only does Daniel know the space industry, he is exceptionally well connected with insiders so his story lines, timelines, innovations, developments, infrastructure and propulsion issues are based on real fact and state of the art for 2023 and the reader gets a strong sense of that from his book.
Our guest discussed and answered many listener questions about asteroid mining and space development, including private stations, tourism, SSP, all way beyond the scope of his book. This was true for climate concerns, space solar power, propulsion, health, medical and food concerns. I'm quite sure you will find our program as relevant as any to the current event programs and discussions we have plus for those that like excellent science fiction with space matters, you will have found a home with Daniel and both "Delta-V" plus "Critical Mass."
Please post your comments/questions on our blog for this show. You can reach Daniel through his website, www.daniel-suarez.com which also provides his Twitter and Facebook information.
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