A series of novels that have become a television show offers one of the most realistic views of what the colonization of space could really be like.
Why you should read and watch: “Extension” imagines a future where human beings have moved into space without growing far beyond today’s often unjust political and economic systems.
How it works: Set in the 24th century, when humanity has managed to colonize Mars and part of the asteroid belt, “The Expanse” does not see space as the final frontier, but as the last backdrop of ancient geopolitical struggles, although without the “geo”. “
- Humans have left the Earth less out of the spirit of discovery than because their planet had become hot and crowded, with the only opportunities for advancement that can be found in the hostile environment of space.
Context: “The Expanse” is an example of “hard science fiction,” that is, it operates largely under the limitations of science as we know it.
- Therefore, this means that there are no warp units, no conveyors, and absolutely no force.
- What definitely exists is gravity, which functions almost like a secondary character in “The Expanse,” a factor that should always be kept in mind.
- Humans growing in the lightest gravity of Mars or in the asteroid belt cannot really function on Earth, which contributes to political divisions.
Analog for “Star Trek” fans: The nineties series “Deep Space Nine”.
- But if “Deep Space Nine” was occasionally sandy, “The Expanse” is a veritable Beijing-style sandstorm, with brutal labor exploitation, a global-scale war, and very nasty aliens.
Yes, but: It’s still fun!
- In addition, Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos is such a fanatical fan that he reportedly helped save the cancellation program by moving it to Amazon Prime in 2019.
- This is a bit strange, as Bezos is one of the main proponents of the space settlement, which “The Expanse” describes largely as a terrible mistake.
The summary: Read the books and watch the show.
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