satellite refueling and menstruation

It's clear that there will be massive differences of opinion on how a
space society ought to be.

When the Puritans came to America in the 1600's, they were looking to
set up their own religious society, but were eventually overwhelmed
by the number of other settlers less sympathetic to their views. I
imagine that any space settlement will have certain groups that feel
the need to impose their own view on the others in the settlement,
even if they use the democratic process to do so. If there are a
multitude of settlements, it would be easier for people to move to a
settlement compatible with their beliefs, but do we really think that
Earth lawmakers or other space settlements are going to sit by and
allow isolated settlements to follow their own moral paths? Would
Earth allow a space settlement where only Christians are allowed, or
a settlement where child sex is allowed? There is a line somewhere
between allowing others to do their own thing, and protecting the
rights of the oppressed. Who would have the right to tell an isolated
space settlement what they can and cannot do? If they are sovereign,
and they adopt heinous policies, who will police them?

Obviously at first the settlements will be heavily supported by and
dependent on Earth, so enforcement would be easy. But eventually it
will become less centralized. We have a very poor track record on
this planet dealing with diversity. I am worried that space
colonization may bring out the worst in some of us. There is no Utopia.

doug

On Jun 15, 2006, at 8:10 AM, Don Davis wrote: