need a hand with a plot element

--- In spacesettlers@yahoogroups.com, "Robert" wrote:
>
> --- In spacesettlers@yahoogroups.com, "terrierkeeper"
> wrote:
> >
> > --- 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.
>

Often the greatest journey is the one requiring shortest distance.

Space Islands are a relatively quick safe move for humanity into a
glorious and bountiful future which will benifity all.

Though I agree with the probability of future studies being able to
identify worlds possibly inhabitable for humans there are problems.

1. The information we recieve will be old, as old as the distance
between us and the world and the speed of light.

2. There won't be complete information in regards to atmosphere. Some
gasses are not breathable by humans. Helium, Carbon dioxide and Ozone
come immiediately to mind.

3. Those worlds may be inhabited. No test has yet to be divised which
will determine a planet's population. We have only to look to our
own history to the probable harm we will cause those worlds and
their populations or what they may cause us.

Excuse me for being on the Conservative Side but Space Islands are a
safe and secure option for mankind.