, Columnist
Solar in Space Is a Solution in Search of a Problem
Better to stay grounded.
Photographer: David Paul Morris/Bloomberg
A Dyson Sphere is a theoretical structure built around a star to tap all of its energy. It’s pure science fiction. But our Big Tech overlords seem determined to build a Dollar-Store Dyson Sphere around Earth, surrounding it with enough orbiting solar panels and data centers to blot out the stars.
In theory, a Dyson Sphere is evidence of a highly advanced civilization. In our reality, the Dollar-Store Dyson Sphere suggests our civilization might be making too many expensive, complicated solutions for problems that don’t really exist.