Why the Fear of Space is So Prevalent
There are many home-grown problems on Earth, but there’s still time to worry about bad things arriving from above. The most recent is the asteroid 2024 YR4, which could be a “city killer” if it hits a heavily populated area of our planet in the early years of the next decade.
The Threat of Asteroids
The chances of that happening are now estimated to be around 0.001%. But there was a brief moment after the asteroid’s discovery last year when the estimated danger of a direct hit crossed the 1% threshold of comfortable risk.
Planetary Defence
There’s a need to worry about planetary defence if we are to avoid going the way of the dinosaurs. But there are many other things that could kill us, including climate change and wars. So what is it about space that grabs our attention? And how do these fears affect us – individually and as a society?
Consequences of Space Expansion
In the long run, something big will hit us, unless we can redirect it. The responsibility for preparation begins with us. Yet preparation also carries risks. Daniel Deudney, a professor of political science at Johns Hopkins University, has warned that the technologies used for planetary defence can not only guide asteroids away from Earth – they can also guide them towards it as a tool in a military conflict.
The Need for Caution
As explained in his book Dark Skies, Deudney’s solution is to reverse, regulate and relinquish most of our human activities in space for several centuries to come. The more we do in space, he believes, the greater the likelihood that states will end up in catastrophic conflict.
A Fear of Space and the Unknown
Fear of space has grown alongside space programs. Worries about asteroid strikes and over-militarisation lean into deeper fears about space as the unknown. Yet they also lean into worries about the self-destructive side of humanity.
Alien Viruses and Pandemics
The rationalisation for such fear shifts about and is not restricted to asteroids, aliens, meteors and runaway military conflict. There is even a theory that viruses come from space.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the fear of space is a complex and multifaceted phenomenon. It is driven by a combination of factors, including the threat of asteroids, the consequences of space expansion, and the unknown. While it is natural to feel a sense of fear or anxiety in response to these threats, it is important to approach the issue with a critical and nuanced perspective. By doing so, we can work towards a more informed and effective response to the challenges posed by space.
Q: What is the threat of asteroid 2024 YR4?
A: The asteroid 2024 YR4 has a 0.001% chance of hitting a heavily populated area of our planet in the early years of the next decade.
Q: What is the solution to the problem of asteroid threats?
A: According to Daniel Deudney, the solution is to reverse, regulate and relinquish most of our human activities in space for several centuries to come.
Q: Why do we fear space?
A: We fear space because it is the unknown, and the unknown can be a source of anxiety and fear. Additionally, the threat of asteroids, aliens, and other space-related dangers can be a source of fear.
Q: What is the connection between space and viruses?
A: Some believe that viruses can come from space, and that pandemics can be caused by the introduction of these viruses from space.
