KFL%MX.LCS.MIT.EDU@MC.LCS.MIT.EDU (10/01/86)
From: decvax!mcnc!rti-sel!rcb@ucbvax.berkeley.edu (Random) >This brings up an excellent point. Ownership ultimately derives >from force; the physical ability to protect something. WHo said anything about force!!!!!!!!! If you are producing zero-g alloys, and are selling them to all buyers on earth, no one will WANT to stop you. You are assuming that everyone is as reasonable as you are. They aren't. The communists and the "non-aligned" nations have this peculiar idea that natural resources on Earth and in space are "the common heritage of mankind". They will regard any attempt at developing and selling those resources by the US or by any private company as being theft, unless they are given shares of the profits in proportion to their population. The USSR is quite likely to wait until the factories are set up and running smoothly, and then try to "liberate" the factories for their own use. Space factories aren't practical until it is possible to defend them. ...Keith [ I doubt very seriously that the Soviets would make any overt moves against space factories (especially in the likely event that they are manned). More their style is the UN resolution, and make political bucks on earth. Besides, I expect they'll have some up there soon enough. They've got a lot of space-hours logged... Anyone care to comment on the likelyhood of assault on a space-factory succeeding - rather than destroying it? - CWM] -------