It could be made to work…
If humanity was forever expanding through the universe then it would in theory have infinite resources.
Some argue the capitalist is a force for destruction of our world. One could also argue it is the force for building the foundations to getting off of Earth. Humanity is either leaving it’s home of old or dying here, one of the two.
The ‘space entrepreneurs’ can enjoy some lime light here. Richard Brandson and Elon Musk deserve a bow.
Even our military construction/innovation and invention workers can take some pride in their place in the world in this light. I typically hold arms traders in absolute contempt. Even worse than the priest who abuses a choir boy. A priest at least has the stated purpose of helping souls of others and could fall short of his morals. A bomb maker celebrates it’s ‘success!’. If your mining or building a dam ok. If your dealing with self defense and dropping bombs…?!
Those who work in the arms industry say they work in the defense industry. Since WWII, when has a war been about defense? Defense makes up perhaps as much as 5% of what modern warfare is about – if that.
But the efforts of even this ilk could be redeemed – if they steered their efforts to the stars and not each other. Worldwide there is arms industries on more than a few ‘sides’ of course.
The silver lining in this cloud is the technology we use to be the strongest military country is the same tech specs to space exploration.
From the space race in 60s which seen the first space flights that culminated in the moon landing to even now when software security combined with powerful ‘radar’ made it possible for a US warship to ground a launched missile from N Korea in 2017. All such techs are vital to leaving Earth.
Capitalism and consumerism carry a social stigma to a degree until we go to the movies or hit Disney Land for a week with the kids and then it kinda makes sense some.
Consider this, if humanity is going to infinitely expand through the universe then it has to become the most efficient ultimate consumer ever.
We could in theory all be entitled to instant gratification for one and all with attending robots serving or most basic whims, if we steered more towards the stars than squabbling over this fine home we have – for now.
Is such a self-indulgent existence worthy of pursuit though?
I’d argue ordering your whim off Amazon is a far cry from reaching to the stars.
Our technology is improving exponentially, we’re not.
I’ve yet to witness a coorelation between being rich and happy.
I’ve witnessed being poor and unhappy being the cause but I’ve yet to see being happy and rich being the cause.