need a hand with a plot element

From: spacesettlers@yahoogroups.com
[mailto:spacesettlers@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of terrierkeeper

> Generation Ships to distant worlds around distant stars is
> good Sci-Fi but not good science or even a viable solution
> to man's need for new worlds.

Indeed. On the one hand, one outcome of O'Neill's work is that if one
thinks in terms of orbital habitats then /every/ solar system is a
potential target for colonization. But on the other hand, it does
remove some of the widely-accepted rationales for interstellar
colonization (in a nutshell, "overcrowding"). As Al has pointed out,
our descendents using up all of the material resources of this solar
system is a distant prospect in the extreme. I think the only possible
reason for attempting an interstellar crossing is that one feels
politically oppressed, and is powerfully motivated to strike out for
unsettled territories where you can make a new society free from
interference from others.

> Unfortunately every time I turn on the boob tube the only thing
> prominant scientists discuss is Generation Ships or Crionicly
> stored colonists on robot ships sent off to distant stars.
> Closest thing they'll discuss to a local solution is Mars
> which is a bad idea.

Yes, I think that planetary chauvinism has entrapped many an
otherwise-first-rate mind.

> I have yet to see space islands discussed except by Leanord
> Nemoy's old show IN SEARCH OF. (It was really a joy to watch).

Oh, wow, I had no idea that show had ever dealt with space settlements
(though I'm not sure that puts it in very good company, considering the
other topics discussed there). Can you provide any details or hopefully
even an episode title? So many old shows are being released on DVD; I'd
like to be prepared to purchase this episode it if should ever become
available.

> As a writer I can sympathize. I just can't put the pieces together
> to form a good space island novel. Currently with its 'enlighted'
> social behavior Western civilization has no use for them.
> That's a big problem trying to set up the course for a novel.
> What is the Purpose?

I think one reason why space settlements haven't been much featured in
science-fiction is because they solve so many problems, and fiction is
propelled by conflict. Yeah, I've had a hard time myself coming up with
interesting plot ideas for my sf. Just like with my above points
regarding interstellar settlement, the main rationale I could come up
with for a family to leave HEO and strike out for the Belt was that they
felt their religious freedoms were being infringed by the surrounding
society, so they very much wanted to create their own new society.

Regards,

Mike Combs