A City on Mars

Can We Settle Space, Should We Settle Space, and Have We Really Thought This Through?

by Zach Weinersmith, Kelly Weinersmith

Hardcover, 448 pages

Published Nov. 7, 2023

ISBN:: 978-1-9848-8172-4

(5 reviews)

Earth is not well. The promise of starting life anew somewhere far, far away - no climate change, no war, no Twitter - beckons, and settling the stars finally seems within our grasp. Or is it? Bestselling authors Kelly and Zach Weinersmith set out to write the essential guide to a glorious future of space settlements, but after years of original research, and interviews with leading space scientists, engineers and legal experts, they aren't so sure it's a good idea. Space tech and space business are progressing fast, but we lack the deep knowledge needed to have space-kids, build space-farms and create space nations in a way that doesn't spark conflict back home. In a world hurtling toward human expansion into space, A City on Mars investigates whether the dream of new worlds won't create a nightmare, both for settlers and the people they leave behind.

With deep expertise, a …

With deep expertise, a winning sense of humour and art from the beloved creator of Saturday Morning Breakfast Cereal, the Weinersmiths investigate perhaps the biggest questions humanity will ever ask itself - whether and how to become multiplanetary.

2 editions

Marek reviewed A City on Mars by Zach Weinersmith

Clear-eyed, humane, and deeply considered overview of space settlement science and fantasy, from Kelly and @[email protected]

5 stars

This is a careful, immensely well-informed, and persuasively comprehensive examination of the domain of settlements in space.

Kind of spoiler alert (but not really): They are not optimistic, certainly not in the short- or even medium-term. What the book does is share the reasons for their stance. And while there is a certain accuracy to the term 'disillusionment' here, in that they started the project optimistic and wanted to provide a popular introduction to how it will all be achieved, the end result is not a 'downer'.

What the authors get across - I think implicitly, but they also take time at various points to be very explicit about it - is that they love the science. They enjoy not the power fantasies of "Wild West in Spaaaaaaace!!" but the complexity, intricacies and crazy dynamics of life, and just as importantly living; being human in space, and on other …

This is a careful, immensely well-informed, and persuasively comprehensive examination of the domain of settlements in space.

They point out that striking out for the Final Frontier is less a prospect of strapping on a space suit and marching, steely-eyed toward Star Trek, or even the Expanse, world conquering and infinite fame. It's a bit more like saying "I want to move to live and work in one of those toxic rare metal manufacturies in China. Maybe raise a family in the foundry there, if we can avoid dying of poisoning, asphyxiation, or radiation." Except the China thing is likely to be more pleasant.

What they suggest instead is more ambitious, more visionary, and ultimately a great deal more heroic too. Something that would really stretch what our species is capable of, require efforts to transform technology and social organisation. They see that as worthwhile and inspiring, and they aren't afraid of the hard work and long-term thinking it would require. (Or at least, they aren't afraid of signing other people up for it, let's be realistic here.)

It's a book that can change your perception of space, space settlement, and your relationship to the world around you. I really like the Weinersmiths. They seem like excellent people.

As a chaser to this excellent shot, I would recommend the entirely different "How Infrastructure Works" from Deb Chachra. A different perspective on our relationship to the world, but one which makes very similar points about how deeply and fundamentally we are bound into our own world. bookwyrm.social/user/wildenstern/review/3831758/s/debchamastodonsocials-book-will-change-your-perspective-on-the-world-connect-you-to-roots-and-implications-you-werent-aware-of

norb reviewed A City on Mars by Zach Weinersmith

Space: Not the Destiation You Think It Is

4 stars

A City on Mars (EBook, 2023, Penguin Press) 5 stars

I really enjoyed the breadth (and depth) of the analysis the Weinersmith's make in this book. The science-y bits were great, but the law related pieces were the most interesting in my opinion.

I think their point about how space exploration geeks just completely skip over law was really insightful. The fact that we already have international law that most likely applies to the moon, and the different reasons why powerful countries agree to international law or not, was interesting.

After reading this book, I came away significantly less enthusiastic about a settlement on Mars (or the Moon) however I still, like the authors, think it is a good use of time and money if done the right way.