Coming off an extended period of hiatus on the previously dubbed social platform, Twitter, Occupy Wall Street boldly broke its silence. This week, a message appeared endorsing none other than SpaceX CEO, Elon Musk. Detailed in a post published mid-week, references to its members and Elon Musk donning matching ‘Occupy Mars’ tees were shared. The movement proclaimed, ‘In carving our legacy amongst the stars, we declare ourselves as the preeminent interplanetary social advocates. Huge thanks to @SpaceX and @elonmusk for pioneering this journey.’
This seemingly sudden backing of Elon Musk by the revolutionary movement can indeed turn some heads. The apparent contradiction lies within Musk’s speculated association with Trump’s administration–a scenario that might seem at odds with Occupy Wall Street’s ethos, particularly their scepticism towards the intertwinement of wealth and political power in society. Moreover, rumors of Musk’s staggering investment towards Trump’s triumphant November election, amounting to an alleged quarter-billion dollars, add to the surprise.
Elon Musk, the high-profile head of both Tesla and SpaceX, was sighted recently donning the striking ‘Occupy Mars’ T-shirt. This took place at a Trump rally staged in Butler, Pennsylvania, reviving a memory from years back when he first displayed this slogan. The catchphrase ‘Occupy Mars’ signifies the fervently embraced dream of Musk to colonize Mars and make it the maiden human settlement beyond our Blue Planet.
He dreams to make interstellar travel commonplace, ferrying humanity to this red celestial body via SpaceX’s state-of-the-art spacecraft. In his recent words, Musk stressed the significance of ‘ensuring the long-term survival of humanity and all life as we know it’ through bold steps towards becoming a multiplanetary species.
Tracing back to its origins, Occupy Wall Street was known as an unconventional, left-wing movement stirred up against economic disparity and unchecked corporate sway. It made its mark as a revolutionary force in September 2011 in the heart of New York City. Although its stirring of the societal pot was perceived as significant during its active stage, the protest eventually dwindled within a span of 59 days.
There are diverse perspectives on the impact and legacy of the movement. Some argue it failed to fully deliver on its zealous potential, while others praise the group for its role in challenging societal norms and shifting public attitudes on the intertwined relationship between fiscal clout and democracy.
Today, it seems what remains of the once-vibrant organization has cast its lot with Elon Musk’s interstellar aspirations: to revolutionize humankind by turning us into a civilization transcending our earthly boundaries to chart the territory of the cosmos. The endorsement of Musk’s Martian colonization dream by the movement witnessed a mix of reactions.
Critics were quick to raise eyebrows. Accusations of Occupy Wall Street being ‘manipulated and undermined’ started to surface, and some even called for the transfer of account ownership to a representative who ‘truly signifies Occupy’s spirit and mission.’ Numerous inquisitive minds also wondered aloud if the movement’s profile had been bought over by a third party.
Reacting to the wave of speculation and accusations, Occupy Wall Street showed resilience. Their retort emphasized the fearlessness of the same group that once dared to claim Zuccotti Park as their complete right. Asserting their continued bravery, they aptly stated, ‘occupying Valles Marineris should not come across as a surprise.’ Valles Marineris, the colossal canyon straddling Mars’ equator, is the Solar System’s largest.
Musk’s public communication in earlier stages hinted at a nonconformist governance style for the proposed Martian colony. He suggested ignoring current international legal structures in Mars’s context. According to the terms documented under SpaceX’s Starlink internet venture, Musk’s envisioned Martian city would operate based on ‘self-governing principles, established in good faith’.
These self-regulation principles would be consented upon within the Red Planet itself, a departure from the norms set on Earth. Emphasizing the novelty of this sustainability proposition, SpaceX declared, ‘Earth-rooted governments have neither authority nor sovereignty over any Martian activities.’
While Musk has consistently shared his ambitious vision of establishing a self-sufficient human colony on the fourth planet from the Sun, this trailblazing project’s blueprint is yet to be fully specified. The timeline for achieving these fiercely ambitious interplanetary colonization goals remains to be determined.