> The author must keep in mind that this is real life, not Star Trek with high-minded Prime Directives and some deep philosophical mission.
Speak for yourself. I want the continuation of the human species, I don't want to unnecessarily genocide another untold number of species to make that happen. I similarly don't like when we cause species here on earth to go extinct.
I think space agencies should adopt a Prime Directive.
Do you believe the continuation of the human race requires genocide, here and on mars? That seems very zero-sum, I believe I can argue against this being necessary.
Speaking for myself, the Prime Directive is the survival of humanity.
Any other altruistic Prime Directive (ala Star Trek) is a luxury affordable only by a species that has figured out a way past the eventual explosion of their system’s star.
> Do you believe the continuation of the human race requires genocide, here and on mars?
No I don't think so. That's why I don't want to worry about "contaminating" Mars with our microbes. It's going to be ok. We should just do whatever it takes to fulfil our objective of settling on Mars. If our spaceship happens to land on a Martian anthill then too bad.
Speak for yourself. I want the continuation of the human species, I don't want to unnecessarily genocide another untold number of species to make that happen. I similarly don't like when we cause species here on earth to go extinct. I think space agencies should adopt a Prime Directive.
Do you believe the continuation of the human race requires genocide, here and on mars? That seems very zero-sum, I believe I can argue against this being necessary.