Foundations of Martian Wealth
The Engines of Abundance
On Mars, as on Earth, true progress stems from technology, relentless innovation, and the engines of capitalism. These forces create wealth and abundance, turning scarcity into plenty.
Mars represents the ultimate test of human ingenuity. Every breath of oxygen must be generated, every drop of water recycled, every calorie of food produced or transported across 140 million miles. In such an environment, inefficiency is not merely wasteful—it is lethal.
Yet this extreme constraint breeds opportunity. The same market forces that drove the Industrial Revolution, the Information Age, and the reusable rocket will drive Martian prosperity. Entrepreneurs seeking profit will find elegant solutions to impossible problems. Engineers competing for contracts will push the boundaries of what's achievable. Scientists chasing discovery will unlock resources we cannot yet imagine.
Individual Autonomy: The Foundation
By prioritizing individual autonomy—the freedom to create, trade, and innovate without coercion—we foster collective autonomy. A society where each person pursues their goals builds a resilient colony.
The history of human achievement is written by individuals: the inventor in their workshop, the coder at their terminal, the trader spotting an opportunity. These individuals, acting in their own interest, weave together an emergent order more sophisticated than any central plan.
On Mars, this principle becomes paramount. No bureaucrat on Earth can anticipate the needs of colonists facing dust storms, equipment failures, or medical emergencies in real-time. The person closest to the problem—with their life on the line—is best positioned to solve it. Give them the freedom to act, the tools to innovate, and the incentive to succeed, and they will.
The Immorality of Coercion
"Forcing a man to pay for something he neither wants nor needs is a great immorality." — Inspired by Frédéric Bastiat
This principle applies equally to Martian colonies. No colonist should be compelled to fund projects they oppose or participate in systems they reject. Voluntary association and voluntary exchange must be the bedrock of Martian society.
Technology as Liberation
Technology does not merely solve problems—it creates possibilities. It liberates us from the constraints of our environment, whether that environment is Earth's atmosphere or Mars's lack thereof.
The CHEAP model embodies this philosophy. By using technology to optimize resource allocation, we reduce waste and create abundance. By using innovation to solve logistical challenges, we make the impossible affordable. By respecting individual choice, we harness the collective intelligence of free people.