That is exactly right.
Those in power now learned their lesson, colonies are only colonies until they become self sufficient, then they are a force. You simply cannot govern people at a distance unless they allow you to govern them.
Releasing humans into the solar system would be a technological boom.
Those in charge now would rather reduce humans to a manageable population, than find a way to send "excess" population to the stars.
It is always about control and power.
“It is always about control and power.”
No psychologically healthy person would begrudge the fact that the majority of the people in North America, Western Europe, Japan and South Korea have benefitted enormously from the progress that began about 150 years ago with the Industrial Revolution. Or, the fact that the most rapidly growing mass economies now are highly populated third world countries like India, China, and Brazil. There is no more shining (pardon the pun) symbol of the human capacity for achievment than that space station. There may be good practical reasons for “de-orbiting” it. And I think there are some unhealthy motivations for doing so.
But there are a lot sick, uncomprehending bastards in this world who react to such creativity with frothing resentment. Unfortunately, these are the people who are driven to seek power. We don’t have to read about the old Soviet Union or Nazi Germany to find such people. Our most powerful elected officials are perfect examples. They have nothing positive to contribute. But they can and are determined to shut down the best among us.