Do We Need to Colonize Mars to Survive?

A Book Review of Dr. Peter Solomon's 100 Years to Extinction

In 2017, Stephen Hawking warned that humanity had just 100 years to move beyond Earth or face extinction. That bold prediction frames my Earthbound podcast conversation with Dr. Peter Solomon, physicist, serial entrepreneur, and author of 100 Years to Extinction. We dig into the triggers threatening our survival (climate change, AI, nuclear war, misinformation) and whether a Mars colony is really our best backup plan or a fool’s paradise.

In my book review of Solomon’s novel, we follow Gen Z trio Aster, Liz, and Milo, an astrophysicist, geneticist, and political leader, respectively, as they vow to save the world from the damage of previous generations. They colonize Mars, refine nuclear fusion, and spark a political revolution back home through the New Planet Party. All this by the mid-2030s. I found his scientific optimism admirable, if a bit unrealistic, and the plot uneven at times. But his effort to frame our polycrisis age through the lens of solutions is always a good exercise.

My takeaway? While I respect the genius of Hawking and Solomon, I believe the resources needed to colonize not just reach) Mars should first be applied to building a survivable, equitable civilization here at home. Solomon anticipates that objection, emphasizing throughout that Earth is precious and irreplaceable. I couldn’t agree more.

Check out his follow-up book, 12 Years to AI Singularity, and if you enjoy this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, or support us at earthboundpodcast.com.

Takeaways:

Stephen Hawking emphasized the urgent need for humanity to establish a permanent presence beyond Earth within a century to ensure survival.
The dialogue around extinction triggers is crucial, as it includes climate change, AI, and misinformation, which we need to address urgently.
In his novel, Dr. Peter Solomon explores a future where a Gen Z trio tackles existential threats while colonizing Mars, showcasing a blend of hope and realism.
While the book presents an optimistic view of colonization, it glosses over significant challenges, such as governance and social dynamics on Mars, leaving some questions unanswered.
Ultimately, while exploring space is essential, our priority should be creating a sustainable and equitable future here on Earth.

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Peter Solomon: 100 Years to Extinction