Public works program and Hypothetica

It seems to me that the most challenging part of the 'hypothetica' style
program, is keeping the public interested long enough for the program to
reach maturity. I think that Mitchells idea of a good public works project
is not just a good idea, its probably the only idea that would permit long
term survival. Its not just a matter of keeping the public interested. We
really would NEED their help, if we intended to formulate accurate plans on
every aspect of living in space. The Apollo program was comparatively
simple in its objectives. Even so there were enormous numbers of topics
that had to be discussed and worked upon. And they were not planning to
build an industry in space or a civilisation. They just went to the moon
for a few days.

It would be a good idea to have an entirely separate digital TV channel
(or 2-3 channels), entirely devoted to the space project. All aspects of
the project, from seemingly complex, technical items, like producing solar
panels, to seemingly mundane items, like producing really interesting meals
from a limited number of space grown ingredients, could be discussed.
Viewers would be encouraged to think about possible solutions to problems
and in some cases, try them out for themselves. Special phone in numbers
and interactive websites could be set-up, so that the public could discuss
their ideas. We would even have special public resource centres where
people of various different trades would come in and discuss their ideas.
People working on the same or similar aspects of the project could be
arranged into teams and think tanks where-by their ideas would be developed
and tested out. We would try and identify which subjects each individual
was most interested in and send them more info in the mail. They would then
be encouraged to help try and fill in the missing links and present their
answers through either E-mail, direct mail or their local resource centre.

Even with Big Dumb Boosters, the first habitats are likely to be pretty
cramped. We are going to need help and advice from those Interior
decorators, house mums, architects, builders, e.t.c. on how to make the
places look presentable. We are going to need Cooks, electricians, Brick
layers, artists, psychologists, power-station workers, lawyers, to name
just a few. Imagine the complexity and difficulty of trying to design a
small O'Neill colony, complete with wiring, plumbing, temperature and
humidity control, all the way up from the ground. In areas like this, the
public would be really useful and you wouldn't have to pay them.

I suppose that even if the interaction were not terribly useful, we
would still try and interest and involve people in any way that you can. We
want a program that just about anyone would be interested in for one reason
or another. Can anyone think of any other PR related ideas?

Tony