In the future should we strip mine other planets?

[jackfaire]

Well say you were writing a sci fi book in a universe like ours but with FTL where strip mining planets was a reality then it would be important to know the ethical implications.

Travel would become unimportant as in your hypothetical novel that issue has been resolved.

[Flyndaran]

I can accept that.
Then I say that strip mining will happen if it makes people money. Ethics only work when people don't have to pay much for them. Without the massive eco-mess that affects other real people, there would be no impetus to avoid mining in the most lucrative manner.