One way trip to nowhere : Are you up for it?

[Deus_ultima]

Here's the plot.

Space exploration is the thing. We want colonies and all. In order to succeed we build this massive flying city because we know that we won't make the trip in a lifetime so we need to recreate an environment that is comfortable, where people can reproduce, educate themselves and keep this thing going until it reaches it's final destination.

The question:

Would you embark on such a trip, knowing that essentially, your never going to see earth again and that you are going to die in this thing as the final destination will only be appreciated or seen by your grand-children at the earliest

[Milton Bradley]

Heh, when this society was predominently sane, I would have thought seroiusly about it.


Now, if you were to me in with a group of "average Americans" everybody is not going to survive. The universe aint big enough for the both of us.

[Scribbler1]

Quote by: Milton Bradley Heh, when this society was predominently sane, I would have thought seroiusly about it.

Agreed. You can't stick a large group from THIS society in a huge spaceship and expect it to survive. And of course the realization that, if things don't work out too well for you, you are NEVER going to be able to move out of your neighborhood would surely add a lot of extra strain.

Maybe start out with an island somewhere and have at least one full generation grow up there with no contact with the outside world.

I think the succeeding generation of that group would be ideal for such a journey.


I think if you are looking at assuring the species survives as the Earth dies off, the solution will probably be more science-fictiony and only a hundred or more people who are specially selected from the very best of Mankind will go.

But my favorite idea would be to strap a few dozen Saturn Vs to the White House. I figure Mankind would have a much better chance that way. At least I'D feel pretty damned good about it.

[Milton Bradley]

Quote by: Scribbler1 Agreed. You can't stick a large group from THIS society in a huge spaceship and expect it to survive. And of course the realization that, if things don't work out too well for you, you are NEVER going to be able to move out of your neighborhood would surely add a lot of extra strain. Maybe start out with an island somewhere and have at least one full generation grow up there with no contact with the outside world. I think the succeeding generation of that group would be ideal for such a journey. I think if you are looking at assuring the species survives as the Earth dies off, the solution will probably be more science-fictiony and only a hundred or more people who are specially selected from the very best of Mankind will go. But my favorite idea would be to strap a few dozen Saturn Vs to the White House. I figure Mankind would have a much better chance that way. At least I'D feel pretty damned good about it.

Muhahahahahahahaha...


I like all of your ideas Scribbler. :)

[Scribbler1]

I KNOW you like the last one, Milton.

[Osborn F Enready]

Thanks Scribbler for the daily chuckle....

As you said also Scrib, with the island and a generation of offspring, that seems a solid idea.

[Praxius]

Then you'll have a whole society that's like a better version of "The Village" ~ Eventually them knowing there is a world outside of their island, many will eventually want to leave and explore. If you keep them isolated from the outside world and not let them know about it, then that'll also defeat their purpose of helping humanity..... eventually why would they want to help a species that treated them like caged animals?

Keeping them isolated like that will probably just cause problems in the long run..... It'll have to be something like Star Trek TNG.... where the entire ship had families and such and a comand structure to keep things in order. Also various entertainment resources will be required as well as some form of substitute for home sickness.

[Deus_ultima]

Quote by: Praxius why would they want to help a species that treated them like caged animals?

True, true..

[Zhavric]

I read a sci-fi novel where, years before the novel begins, a bunch of governments got together and did just that: they built a big ship, put hundreds of people in it with supplies and pointed them at the nearest star at some ridiculous, yet sub-light velocity. When the novel opens, they're outside the solar system, but nowhere near their destination.

A decade or so after they leave, people figure out how to fold space / travel without moving / warp (it was a while ago that I read it). The folks in the ship aren't mentioned that much but as I reader I got the idea they were sort of like religious fanatics.

"We've already been where you're going. Want to go there?"

"Nope. We have a mission. We'll get there when we get there."

"Do you want to go back to earth?"

"Nope. That's against our orders."


Everyone was a little worried about what would happen when they arrived.

As to the op, I would be against the ship being launched because it means forcing one's offspring to be involved and that's not fair to the kids.

[Deus_ultima]

If they are in a loving environment and have panned stuff to keep them busy, I see no problem for the kids.

[Zhavric]

Quote by: Deus_ultima If they are in a loving environment and have panned stuff to keep them busy, I see no problem for the kids.

That's great... until they become adults.

I'm really not a big fan of people being forced into the family business. Even early colonists in the Americas had the option to eventually go back to the land they originated from.

Imagine being stuck on a space ship your whole life knowing there's an entire planet full of people, places, events and pursuits that you're ENTIRELY divorced from. Forever.

I'd be furious. Anyone would be. So, the only real answer is to indoctrinate / brainwash the youngsters into accepting their fate... which is something else I'm not a fan of.

[Milton Bradley]

Quote by: Zhavric That's great... until they become adults. I'm really not a big fan of people being forced into the family business. Even early colonists in the Americas had the option to eventually go back to the land they originated from. Imagine being stuck on a space ship your whole life knowing there's an entire planet full of people, places, events and pursuits that you're ENTIRELY divorced from. Forever. I'd be furious. Anyone would be. So, the only real answer is to indoctrinate / brainwash the youngsters into accepting their fate... which is something else I'm not a fan of.

Some hard hitting, astute observations.


I can't really poke a hole in any of those arguments.


I know I certainly resent my parents ( and their generation ) for falling asleep at the wheel as far as government is concerned. Perhaps no topic under the Sun infuriates me more than modern politics, and the reasons for it being as it is.

[Deus_ultima]

Quote by: Milton Bradley know I certainly resent my parents ( and their generation ) for falling asleep at the wheel as far as government is concerned.

Instead of being bitter, try changing things instead.
Can't change the past, but sure can do something about the future!

I believe teaching your children purpose should solve the issue of deep space bitterness.

[Scribbler1]

Quote by: Praxius Then you'll have a whole society that's like a better version of "The Village" ~ Eventually them knowing there is a world outside of their island, many will eventually want to leave and explore.

True. The Amish do that. At a certain age, they have what they call "rumspringa", which is when they let young Amish teens have a taste of the "real world" for a year or so where they can either get it out of their systems and come back to the group or leave for good. It seems to work well for them and gives the young men BOTH sides to choose from. If they decide to come back, they don't WANT to leave later on.
This would work the same way in my scenario.

If you keep them isolated from the outside world and not let them know about it, then that'll also defeat their purpose of helping humanity..... eventually why would they want to help a species that treated them like caged animals?

I should have expanded on the idea, in this case. I meant a much larger group than the one I think you're thinking about. I wasn't envisioning some "biosphere" kind of deal. More like a small town. And when the time comes, they don't ALL have to go. But if we had the resources, two generations down the road, they might.