Scientists have developed a technology for assessing the level of development by analyzing satellite images

The Economist and economist Luisa Martinez used satellite imagery to investigate the extent to which dictatorships, autocracies, and democracies overstate GDP. They used North and South Korea as comparative samples. For example, nighttime satellite images of South Korea showed the use of large amounts of electricity to illuminate the civilizational benefits that the country possesses. In contrast, the images of North Korea showed mostly darkness.

Thus, the researchers came to a simple and logical conclusion: a country with an evolving and developing economy requires much more energy and resources for its existence than a state dominated by authoritarianism and dictatorship, and thus a low level of economic well-being of the population.

This simple, yet unconventional method of measurement proved to be surprisingly effective. In particular, scientists have found that countries that live according to the principles of democratic societies show approximately the same energy consumption results as satellite images would illustrate. Autocracies and dictatorships, on the other hand, claim up to 50% of GDP growth in their official reports, which is not actually the case. So the «economic growth» demonstrated by autocracies like China can be considered exaggerated.

In early September, cryptocurrency billionaire Jed McCaleb founded Vast, a startup aimed at building housing in space and creating comfortable living conditions there. The rich man promised to create a space dwelling with artificial gravity, but it is not yet known whether the idea will be realized.

«I've always believed in using technology to improve human conditions. Inorder to create homes in space, we need to develop technologies that will not have a negative impact on our planet,» McCaleb shared his concept.