What Is Elon Musk's Deal with Space Colonization and Underpopulation?

Imagine this hypothetical scenario.

Here comes Elon Musk looking for Mars colonists. He’s recruiting. You’re intrigued. Why wouldn’t it be? We all are. So, Elon is trying out both “recruiting,” and let-us-go-to-Mars promotion approaches.

The “positive” promotion of Elon Musk’s Mars colonization project

Elon: Hey, what do you say about being one of the first Mars colonizers?

You: It sounds interesting and exciting. Is it going to be dangerous? Can you guarantee that your vision of colonizing Mars is going to be a success?

Elon: Well, it may be. I can’t give you any guarantees about both your safety and the mission’s overall success. But, let’s look at the bright side of things. Let’s be positive about it. We’re about to make history, and…

You: Thank you for your offer. I really admire you Elon, but I don’t feel good about it, and to be honest, I don’t share your enthusiasm. Mother Earth is our home. So, let’s just stay for the time being. You keep doing what you’re doing with your rockets. I have to go. Good luck!

Now, let’s try out a dramatic approach for a change.

The “dramatic” promotion of Elon Musk’s Mars colonization project

Elon: Hey, you there! Pack your bugs, and follow me! We have to launch as soon as possible! Mars can’t wait!

You: Wait, what’s going Elon? What are you talking about?

Elon: Our planet is doomed, pollution, resources, overpopulation, and stuff. Colonizing Mars is the only solution for our species to survive.

You: You’re right. I didn’t know the situation was so dramatic, but I get you. After all, you’re Elon Musk, you know what’s best for us. Can I get a sit by your rocket’s window, so I can enjoy one last look at our homeworld?

All humor of my answer aside, without “dramatic messages,” the whole Mars colonization thing would eventually turn out to be one entertaining, but expensive reality TV show. Do you agree?

Now, let’s have a look at another of Elon’s dramatic messages about underpopulation.

It may be hard to believe, but we’re actually facing both problems at the same time: underpopulation and overpopulation. How is that even possible? What’s the catch?

Elon Musk is right. He was just too busy to explain what he meant by saying that we should worry more about underpopulation than the overpopulation problem.

If you want to know what the future of our world is going to look like, then I suggest you have a close look at what’s going on in Japan. Why?

According to 2014 estimates, 38.0% of the Japanese population is above the age of 60, 25.9% are age 65 or above, and 12.5% are aged 75 or above*. People age 65 and older in Japan make up a quarter of the total population and are estimated to reach a third by 2050. (Source: Wiki)*

Here’s another very important number to consider. According to some estimates, by the same year 2050, the world population will get very close to ten billion people.

So, when Elon says that he worries about the problem of underpopulation more than overpopulation, he actually means that we will lack young people at their most productive age to contribute and work. He’s pointing us in the right direction.

Currently, we can’t see the forest for the trees because we can’t stop talking and worrying about overpopulation. What are we going to do with all those people? Are we going to have enough resources? Those are legit questions, but what about the more pressing questions: Are we going to have enough people able to work? How are we going to prevent our global company from collapsing because one-quarter or even one-third of the world’s population will be focused on their retirement plans?

We have enough time to find additional space for more people. We can even buy some additional time by rationalizing our available resources. However, we will run out of the time required to raise and educate children who’re supposed to be the future workforce.

The most important contribution is an idea of how to solve overpopulation that will never be born, literally, if we underestimate and ignore the problem of underpopulation.

Think about it because Elon Musk certainly does!

Also published here.