As far as “wasteful” space-oriented initiatives like the elevator, Henning: shepherding 1 (ONE) 1-mile diameter nickel-iron asteroid into near-Earth orbit would make readily accessible (mostly pre-layered and sorted) precious metals equivalent to the total mined in all history from the planet’s crust. (Plus lotsa base metals, of course.) Approximate value, $1 million per capita. For the planet. Say, $6 quadrillion.
P on the “ohdear, fix the problems down here first!” mantra. That kind of thinking is a form of digging harder to get out of a hole. Surplus wealth for everyone is a far better bet and plan.
