galactic colonization

>"Pan P"
>I suppose FTL discussions are also far off topic.
>
>We don't need a new paradigm in physics, many worlds QM will probably more than
suffice, all we need is a way to get to a universe with a much faster light
speed or much smaller spatial constant.
>
>Current existing theories allow for FTL using exotic forms of energy
or matter.

I think most scientists would consider any of the things you listed above becoming reality to be shift in the paradigm of physics. Different universes with different physical laws? Exotic forms of energy and matter for FTL travel? Though existing theories make some of these things theoretically possible, it is little 't' theory not the measureable, testable, useable, capital 'T' theory that you can hang your hat on.

--- In spacesettlers@yahoogroups.com, "Victor Smith" wrote:
>
> Well, I seriously doubt that we'll be starting to andromeda the day after tomorrow, but I've seen figures indicating that if, once we achieve travel at a significant percentage of lightspeed, mankind populates planets at it's current rate of growth that we could be looking for more room in the milky way within 50,000 years or less. Time dilation effects of near light speed combined with greatly increased longevity from Human medtech by then would make journeys to andromeda or other, nearer galactic swarms doable in acceptable time frames. I simply don't believe that we can ever be stopped if we can get a significant population freed from the planet on a permanent basis. Until then, we, the entire race, live in constant jeopardy.

I agree with the last statement and spreading to the nearest planets or even near space have proven to be a slow and expensive process. Getting to nearby stars are going to take a monumental feat. Leaving the galaxy at even light speed, theoretically not possible, and traveling 2.5 million years to the Andromeda galaxy does not seem like a possibility in the next 10,000 years at least. I do see ways to do it but they call on fantastic feats of engineering or totally unproven physics. Moving a star and her planets (and populations) out of a galaxy, worm hole travel, faster then light speed, like way way way faster then light speed. All of which call on either massive use of resources or a new physics.

Brooks