Humans are fine. I'm shitposting on a device that's a million times as complex as a nuke (show me evidence proving those exist). Humans haven't even explored mining in all remote places on Earth yet. No projects for mining the ocean floor as well.
Discussion
The devices we sh-tpost on have their CPUs made in a giant fab costing tens of billions and that needs to move tens of millions of units a week to stay in business.
These require silicon with fourteen-nines purity, and global supply chains.
There are so many ways we can f--k this up its not funny...
This is the peak of human progress. High energy projects like space travel and nuclear failed, so they were replaced with CGI and politics.
I think you might be right, sadly.
Nuclear-thermal rocket engines have epic thrust-to-weight. But were benched in the 70s for political reasons. I'm hoping Elon can find a way to get them legalized again. Makes so much economic and technical sense, even if you have to launch from Madagascar...
I don't think it was political. Likely physical infeasibility. Doesn't make any difference to us, cause we aren't flying into space any time soon. Even high altitude balloon projects stalled.
So instead you get an Internet pager and you can complain about rising prices and politicians. In a world like this, habitual drug users are the rational ones.
Mining the sea bottom is seriously dangerous. Even if a small rock hits the submarine or vessal it can cause huge damage.
Doesn't matter if it's cheaper than on land. But it is not, so they don't do it.