similarly, talk about aggressive space colonization could be damaging to the human psyche, because it kindles an emotional stance that does not respect other people or their lands. this is irrespective whether we would encounter alien life out there or not! (i suspect most people can't think clearly about the distinction anyway). it'd be enough if that emotional stance/ideology would do damage on earth.
“but niplav, isn't that way too meta/coupling?”
“yes.”