need a hand with a plot element

--- In spacesettlers@yahoogroups.com, "terrierkeeper"
>
> --- In spacesettlers@yahoogroups.com, Al Globus wrote:
> >
> > At 11:07 PM 5/17/2006, you wrote:
> > >something to consider is what is the condition of earth at the
time
> > >the ship is built. if its getting more and more crowded and is
having
> > >trouble sustaining life, the trip [to the start] might be the
only
> way for
> > >ppl to
> > >have a better life with more room.
> >
> > Why not just live in orbital colonies? A lot easier than going
to
> the
> > nearest star. Total living area should be roughly 1000x the
surface
> area
> > of the Earth if most asteroidal and significan lunar materials
are
> > used. Much more if you are willing to completely use up a few
moons.
> >
> Completely agree with that point. From a practical point Space
Islands
> are a sure thing when compared to unknown possible worlds around
> distant stars.
>
> Common Sence would dictate space islands. A bird in the hand is
worth
> more than two in the bush.
>
> 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.
>
> 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.
>
> 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).
>
> 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?
> Overpopulation is not deemed an excuse for moving into space at
this
> time. We don't have the birth rate. The project I have periodicly
tried
> to get going is just too boring to work at this time, which is why
I am
> currently trying a project set during the French and Indian war. I
> suspect I am not the only one with this problem.
>

that too is something to consider, but with the information being
generated by many of the studies we have now, and what is expected to
come up with the system that will be launched in the next decade, its
likely that we will know what suns will have suns long before these
ships are ready to go. the very propect of new worlds will drive many
ppl to want to go, even if its a risk that their great grand children
will have to finish. i forget which of the great sf aurthors said
that man had to have new horizons to explore, and earth has no new
horizons. yes man can make tons of spacestations of all types around
this sun, but its still this one. ppl will want to go, even it if
will take longer than their lifetime to reach there, simply because
its a new place and new things to learn.

i myself would go, not because i want my children to grow up there,
but because it would be a journey into the future.