Hello everyone!

--- In spacesettlers@yahoogroups.com, "bkpeddler2004"
wrote:
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?
=================
As to the 'impracticality' of island space colonies. This is
typical inside the box thinking I'm afraid. I see no difficulty
in 'turning to nature' for lessons, as nature has been putting out
really quite beautiful island paradises for an extremely long time.
I find it hard to believe that humans cannot macro & micro engineer
exquisitely habitable space island colonies, on the level of Tahiti
& Hawaii.
Lets not forget that less then 40 years ago men first walked on the
moon, and on this time scale we're barely out of the cradle.