About
What could a sustainable, non-exploitative economic model for space look like?
This project aims to empower storytellers with a strong understanding of economic theory to inspire world-building based on sustainable, non-exploitative space economies. To achieve this, we gathered a diverse group of storytellers from various media for an interactive, in-person Space Economy Camp.
Learn from a participating economist about what it takes to create a believable economic system.
Status
Past
Category
Learning and education | Policy and business
Environment
Earth
Contact
Key accomplishments
- Kim Macharia and Tracy Drain co-facilitated a discussion to promote the camp at The Economist’s Space Economy Summit on Nov. 13-14, 2024 in Los Angeles, hosting 20 participants, including finance and business development professionals.
- Hosted a multi-day Space Economy Camp for Writers from Nov. 9-12, bringing together 20 respected economists and skilled writers to create new concepts for world-building in speculative fiction.
- Completed an event summary and lessons learned document to inform future camp iterations.
- Crafted creative “zines” that reflect the camp’s thematic essence.
- Applied for and received the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers Association (SFWA) Givers Grant Award.
- Developed “Choose Your Own Adventure Economics,” a cheat sheet for science fiction writers to incorporate economics accurately into storytelling.
News
NASA official tells sci-fi writers that they’re creating a path to the future
November 13, 2023 | Mary Beth Faller
NASA’s chief economist, Alexander MacDonald, emphasized to writers at ASU’s Space Economy Camp that storytelling shapes space exploration.
We don’t go to space because we have the machines. We go to space because we have a culture of people who are inspired to build the machines. The narratives create the future.
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