Ariel Ekblaw: Space Colonization and Self-Assembling Space Megastructures | Lex Fridman Podcast #271

Ariel Ekblaw is the director of the MIT Space Exploration Initiative. Please support this podcast by checking out our sponsors: - BetterHelp: https://betterhelp.com/lex to get 10% off - Coinbase: https://coinbase.com/lex to get $10 in free Bitcoin - Indeed: https://indeed.com/lex to get $75 credit - ExpressVPN: https://expressvpn.com/lexpod and use code LexPod to get 3 months free - Athletic Greens: https://athleticgreens.com/lex and use code LEX to get 1 month of fish oil EPISODE LINKS: Ariel's Twitter: https://twitter.com/ariel_ekblaw MIT Space Exploration Initiative: https://media.mit.edu/groups/space-exploration Books and resources mentioned: Into the Anthropocosmos (book): https://amzn.to/3CUIchM Seveneves (book): https://amzn.to/36ipd4O Endurance (book): https://amzn.to/3CYdKDJ PODCAST INFO: Podcast website: https://lexfridman.com/podcast Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/2lwqZIr Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2nEwCF8 RSS: https://lexfridman.com/feed/podcast/ Full episodes playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLrAXtmErZgOdP_8GztsuKi9nrraNbKKp4 Clips playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLrAXtmErZgOeciFP3CBCIEElOJeitOr41 OUTLINE: 0:00 - Introduction 0:56 - Space exploration 10:02 - Swarm robotics and self-assembling space habitats 27:44 - Microgravity 32:01 - Deep duration space missions 37:11 - Extraterrestrial life 43:33 - Music and sports in space 50:12 - Colonizing space 57:33 - War in space 1:02:06 - Robots in space 1:16:48 - Commercial space exploration 1:20:25 - Future of space exploration 1:28:11 - Beauty of the universe 1:33:07 - Space cities 1:38:49 - Advice for young people 1:42:09 - Consciousness 1:43:54 - Meaning of life SOCIAL: - Twitter: https://twitter.com/lexfridman - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lexfridman - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lexfridman - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lexfridman - Medium: https://medium.com/@lexfridman - Reddit: https://reddit.com/r/lexfridman - Support on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/lexfridman