Weighing the Risks

The more I work at LiftPort, the more real the possibility that I take place in a revolutionary event for science and society becomes more and more actualized for myself.  It amazes me; I actually find myself laughing about it sometimes.  Me, a 22-year-old, recent graduate, could help put an Elevator on the Moon.  I’ve somewhat talked about the symbolic or more spiritual reasons why that would be significant for me (progressing science, space exploration, manifest destiny, etc.).  But, every once in a while, just for a second, consider the financial and professional benefits that I personally gain by being part of a project of that magnitude.  I would be famous.  I would be rich.  It would be unbelievable.  Our plan to establish LSEI is approximately 8 years.  I would be successful, more than successful, by the time I was 30 if this project actually happens.  It’s the dream.

Being young, rich and famous (and as a scientist no less) has its obvious perks.  Cars, houses, material objects that I have always wanted etc.  But there is something extremely valuable in being young and having money: investing.  Now, I’m not talking about hitting Wallstreet or getting a financial advisor to manage my money just to make more money.  I’m saying that if LSEI is built, I will be able to establish my own scientific think tank and fund all sorts of wild scientific endeavors.  That’s the real dream.  There are so many different things that I would love to research myself.  Too many things.  If I was accomplished and rich I could create research teams of my own.  Not only that, I would have access to developing the markets that LSEI makes possible out in space.  I love science, but research is tedious.  The dream is to be able to pay people to conduct research for you.

Okay so that’s best-case scenario.  What happens if it fails? Do I lose out big? Not really, no.  I am thoroughly impressed with Michael in that he has committed his life to this project and, if it fails, he takes all of the fallout.  That’s someone who believes in their dream and if anyone is going to make that dream happen, its him.  Me? If the project fails, I will have still made some money in working a summer job, will have excellent material to add to my resume and will have had the experience of not only building a startup from the ground up, but also working tirelessly to accomplish a dream and actualize science fiction of the future, into the reality of today.  Sounds like a win-win to me, count me in.  Let’s build a freakin Elevator on the Moon.  

-Jeremy Wain Hirschberg​