Hello everyone!

I'm a freelance writer for an informative tutorial website about
technology and the future of human evolution. Space is my
department for the time-being.

I am researching space colonization and I have lots of questions,
particularly with regard to the human aspect. Can people really
live in an enclosed environment without
killing/exploiting/destroying each other and themselves?

Does anyone know how close we are to achieving an actual space
colony? I heard that NASA's funding was cut. What does this mean
for space colonization R and D, in general? Any successful
biosphere projects?

Most torus-models I've seen on the web seem to me to be a size that
would create a constant spinning effect. Would stars be constantly
whizzing by overhead? Also, I read that to shield the inhabitants
from deadly radiation, there would need to be a layer of soil
blocking it. (One model's proposal) How would there be light?

I am open-minded and fascinated. However, I am doubtful that it is
possible by virtue of the simple fact that on Earth, we depend on so
many intricately-detailed micro and macro systems that we evolved
(or were designed) with. Symbiotic and parasitic relationships are
all part of the necessary life cycles that play crucial ecological
roles. We can't "choose" the weather at a whim, for example.
Sometimes it's "too" cold, hot, wet or dry because nature is
balancing itself. Can we possibly think of everything?

In essence, we humans, plants and animals, are more dependent on
this particular location than we realize. Our bodies evolved with
an atmosphere, solar and lunar cycles, seasons, and gravity.

I think we might be seriously over-reaching, here.

Any thoughts, ideas, or suggested resources?