Amazon founder Jeff Bezos once said that most people in future will “want to live near Earth, not necessarily in Earth orbit, but near Earth vicinity”. Speaking on the Lex Fridman Podcast in 2023, Jeff Bezos shared a long-term vision of human life beyond Earth. He then said that he imagines a future where a much larger population could live in space instead of being limited by Earth’s resources. Bezos added that such a shift could support more innovation and growth, as space offers more energy and materials compared to planets.According to Jeff Bezos, large space stations could act like self-contained worlds. These structures could be built using materials from the Moon or asteroids and designed to support cities, farms, and industries.He said, “I think most people are going to want to live near Earth, not necessarily in Earth orbit, but near Earth vicinity.” Bezos has long argued that Earth should be preserved while heavy industry and expansion move to space.While he did not give a timeline, Bezos said reducing the cost of space travel and using space resources will be key steps toward this vision.
Jeff Bezos on space living and population growth
During the podcast, Jeff Bezos said, “I would love to see a trillion humans living in the solar system.” He added, “If we had a trillion humans, we would have, at any given time, 1,000 Mozarts and 1,000 Einsteins.” He said this could lead to more creativity and progress, with the solar system “full of life and intelligence and energy.”During the conversation, Bezos also explained why he does not see planets as a long-term solution. “The only way to get to that vision is with giant space stations,” he said, adding that “the planetary surfaces are just way too small.”
