This sort of thing sometimes causes people undue distress…
““This sort of thing sometimes causes people undue distress, as in the recent MIT Technology Review cover, featuring moonwalker Buzz Aldrin with the headline “YOU PROMISED ME MARS COLONIES. INSTEAD I GOT FACEBOOK.” But, in fairness, a Mars colony would cost a few trillion dollars, while Facebook is free. And, it’s worth noting that the choice of Facebook is a bit crafty. Imagine if they’d picked Wikipedia: “YOU PROMISED ME MARS COLONIES, AND ALL I GOT WAS ALL OF HUMAN KNOWLEDGE INDEXED AND AVAILABLE TO EVERYONE ON EARTH FOR FREE.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
The promised Mars colonies were replaced by free platforms, highlighting misplaced expectations and the value of open knowledge.
In simple terms: Promises of colonization turned into free internet services.
Key Takeaway
Align expectations with realistic outcomes.
Themes
technology
expectations
knowledge sharing
Mood
critical
inquisitive
Type
journalistic
philosophical
When to use this quote
- education
- public policy
- media criticism
Key Concepts
Space exploration
digital platforms
Questions to Reflect On
- How do we evaluate grand promises?
- What is the true cost of knowledge?
A Different Perspective
Free services may still be profit‑driven.