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| Source: Cagle.com |
Today is
#AsteroidDay, a focusing event designed to raise awareness about the catastrophic and existential risks posed by asteroid collisions. Although there are
many things that threaten the long-run
survival of humanity, necessitating our ultimate move into space, asteroids are simultaneously the best-understood and most-charismatic x-risk. NASA already has an (
insufficient) budget to monitor this risk, and various
non-profits are actively fundraising to develop further detection capability. We need more.
Currently
none of the major-party candidates for US president have a space policy. That's unacceptable. Whenever you have the opportunity to interact with politicians, please highlight and push this issue. Take a moment and reflect on its importance. I'll wait.
In the deepest sense, existential risk is not just one important policy issue among many
. It's the
most important issue that exists. Our politics and public sphere should reflect this fact.
