Alpha Centauri 2

Community => Recreation Commons => Topic started by: Syn on March 25, 2018, 03:04:04 AM

Title: Would you join a colonization voyage?
Post by: Syn on March 25, 2018, 03:04:04 AM

Pretty simple premise to this: assume that a 'habitable' planet has been discovered. Not quite like Earth but we've advanced enough that you can survive in a prefab as you set up terraforming equipment. You'd be the first so there's no precedence for success... or risks. Everything is a total unknown.

You're offered a seat on the voyage. You'd leave Earth with a few hundred of your peers and, likely, never be in contact with those back home ever again during your lifetime.

Would you join? Would you say goodbye to life on Earth and, regardless of the unknowns, embark on such a journey?

Title: Re: Would you join a colonization voyage?
Post by: Buster's Uncle on March 25, 2018, 03:22:36 AM

My fantasy life is da outer space - but nossir, I ain't doin' the Jamestown stuff with the 80% mortality the first year - and all they did was a boat trip to somewhere they could breath the air and eat the food.

Title: Re: Would you join a colonization voyage?
Post by: Geo on March 25, 2018, 11:20:30 AM

I'd be more inclined to partake in an expedition voyage over a colonization effort. ;)

Title: Re: Would you join a colonization voyage?
Post by: Rusty Edge on March 25, 2018, 05:18:08 PM

When I was about 8 years old that's what I wanted to do when I grew up. Become a pioneer starting a colony. Trouble was the space program dried up before I started high school. Now I am too old,probably unqualified, and it's not my wife's thing.

Title: Re: Would you join a colonization voyage?
Post by: Buster's Uncle on March 25, 2018, 05:36:45 PM

YOU'RE your wife's thing - and congratulation on that.

Title: Re: Would you join a colonization voyage?
Post by: Rusty Edge on March 25, 2018, 05:44:55 PM

Thanks. That is how I won at life.

Title: Re: Would you join a colonization voyage?
Post by: Buster's Uncle on March 25, 2018, 06:26:16 PM

Yes.  Yes, you have.


Outer Space is full of charm and win for a fantasy life - but cold and utterly inimical to your survival, and any faintly plausible tech for traveling in it -including fast FTL realistically-treated- still has a horrific claustrophobia/cabin-fever/boredom factor built in.

Title: Re: Would you join a colonization voyage?
Post by: E_T on March 25, 2018, 06:27:43 PM

I would still want to go, if anything, as my ashes (or compost, whichever would be best for a starting colony) so that I could contribute in some fashion to whatever Brave New World that we finally attempt to settle...

Title: Re: Would you join a colonization voyage?
Post by: Buster's Uncle on March 25, 2018, 06:32:47 PM

Well, you have mobility issues currently, don't you?  I don't like to leave the house, but I can and Hell is Other People, assuming the ship isn't one-man, in which case too lonely for me.  One could easily imagine, though, someone, say, confined to bed or a wheelchair anyway, liking shipboard life just fine, given stuff to do and maybe a huge movie library...

Title: Re: Would you join a colonization voyage?
Post by: E_T on March 25, 2018, 06:58:50 PM

Don't really need a bed with micro gravity...  Just something to keep you from banging into the walls...

Title: Re: Would you join a colonization voyage?
Post by: Green1 on March 25, 2018, 07:14:35 PM

If I was younger, heck yes. Older, less so.

But something tells me getting on a ship like that would be hard.

I could imagine:

- Fill out, fool, or get past a 50 page application software designed by Miriam's people, Yang's people, and scanned by Zach's computers. Any obvious red flag, the application never gets seen unless you know someone. And yes, full physical, short psych eval, and drug test.
- any real job, you need the highest credentials of that job. Lots of folks want adventures in space.
- Of course, a few billion or being a genius head-of-your field gets you past that.
- Knowing, being a colleague/ valued employee of, or being related to mission critical people already accepted may get you past the BS on a case by case basis. seats limited.

Title: Re: Would you join a colonization voyage?
Post by: Buster's Uncle on March 25, 2018, 07:31:54 PM

No doubt.  Not a soul here would even be allowed on the grounds to watch the launch, and some of us are closer than most people to being right for it (brains, patience and affinity for detail work being 4x TBS gamer traits).

Me, my depressive phase is a way better fit for the trip -passive and waiting it out, though quite capable when strongly enough motivated, like say, a meteoroid puncture air leak- but I've little or no charm when I'm like that, and wouldn't pass any interviews.  Right now, in the best sort of manic (a smidge volatile and definitely way too talky, but very positive and industrious and realistically confident, and have navigated a couple Transcend-difficulty people situations lately, and am full to the brim with productive energy and win) nobody in their right mind would choose to be trapped in a spaceship with me...

Title: Re: Would you join a colonization voyage?
Post by: Syn on March 25, 2018, 07:36:28 PM

I wouldn't choose to be trapped on this planet with you, yet here we are...

;)

Title: Re: Would you join a colonization voyage?
Post by: Buster's Uncle on March 25, 2018, 07:37:16 PM

And I like that pushy [feminine washing] Vincour.  A lot.  Whoo'da figured? ;nod

Title: Re: Would you join a colonization voyage?
Post by: Rusty Edge on March 25, 2018, 10:06:29 PM

It occurs to me I wouldn't pass a genetic screening. I lack a successful mutation 98 percent have. I wouldn't even make a good source of spare parts.

Title: Re: Would you join a colonization voyage?
Post by: ColdWizard on March 25, 2018, 10:18:52 PM

Only if BuReloc made me.

Title: Re: Would you join a colonization voyage?
Post by: Buster's Uncle on March 25, 2018, 10:20:19 PM

I see what you did there.

But this is the Empire of Man, not the CoDominium...

Title: Re: Would you join a colonization voyage?
Post by: ColdWizard on March 25, 2018, 10:26:04 PM

I haven't gotten around to Weber yet.

Title: Re: Would you join a colonization voyage?
Post by: Buster's Uncle on March 25, 2018, 10:27:54 PM

I've only read the Niven collaboration novels w/ moties, so this here's the second Empire, which actually fits my forum history pretty good.

Title: Re: Would you join a colonization voyage?
Post by: E_T on March 25, 2018, 10:30:04 PM

One hand, Other hand, Gripping Hand....

Title: Re: Would you join a colonization voyage?
Post by: Buster's Uncle on March 25, 2018, 10:39:46 PM

You know I actually used that last week in a post?

Title: Re: Would you join a colonization voyage?
Post by: Geo on March 26, 2018, 05:59:58 AM

Quote from: BUncle on March 25, 2018, 10:20:19 PM

I see what you did there.

But this is the Empire of Man, not the CoDominium...

Where's the gripping hand when you need it?  :P

Title: Re: Would you join a colonization voyage?
Post by: Lorizael on March 26, 2018, 02:49:27 PM

Probably only once everyone I knew was dead.

Title: Re: Would you join a colonization voyage?
Post by: Rusty Edge on March 26, 2018, 03:48:13 PM

Quote from: Lorizael on March 26, 2018, 02:49:27 PM

Probably only once everyone I knew was dead.

Congratulations. You seem to be better connected now than when I first started interacting with you.

Title: Re: Would you join a colonization voyage?
Post by: Green1 on March 26, 2018, 03:54:19 PM

Quote from: Rusty Edge on March 25, 2018, 10:06:29 PM

It occurs to me I wouldn't pass a genetic screening. I lack a successful mutation 98 percent have. I wouldn't even make a good source of spare parts.

Good thing is we are talking late 90s high tech. SMAX is a period piece.

The only genetic testing would be versus things they already knew were genetic. Remember, the Human Genome Project was only completed in real life during the Clinton Administration.

Stuff like bad eyesight (even if correctable), relatives having dementia, schizophrenia, sickle cell, etc.

Title: Re: Would you join a colonization voyage?
Post by: Buster's Uncle on March 26, 2018, 03:57:40 PM

Quote from: Rusty Edge on March 26, 2018, 03:48:13 PM

Quote from: Lorizael on March 26, 2018, 02:49:27 PM

Probably only once everyone I knew was dead.

Congratulations. You seem to be better connected now than when I first started interacting with you.

He's made a lot of progress. ;nod


It's kinda important when you're working on yourself as a long-term project, that people notice the improvement, not just what still needs work.  Believe me, I know. 

I get far more of the latter, always have since my rather dramatic upward turn in 1996, and I'm working on myself for ME, and ought to be more self-contained than to need the attaboys I think I've earned - but I do, and I do profoundly resent the demotivating criticisms.  -Always with the observations that amount to I still need work, and screw you for that, world.  Pretty basic universal psychology, there.

Title: Re: Would you join a colonization voyage?
Post by: Lorizael on March 26, 2018, 05:30:44 PM

Quote from: Rusty Edge on March 26, 2018, 03:48:13 PM

Quote from: Lorizael on March 26, 2018, 02:49:27 PM

Probably only once everyone I knew was dead.

Congratulations. You seem to be better connected now than when I first started interacting with you.

Heh. Most of my friends are people I've known for 15+ years. We're pretty close, but there aren't that many of them. And all of them want to die.

Title: Re: Would you join a colonization voyage?
Post by: Syn on March 26, 2018, 05:39:44 PM

Hey, me too. It's nice to share interests with so many people. ;lol

Title: Re: Would you join a colonization voyage?
Post by: Lorizael on March 26, 2018, 05:47:38 PM

I'm not going to die, so settling another planet seems like a good medium-term goal.

Title: Re: Would you join a colonization voyage?
Post by: Buster's Uncle on March 26, 2018, 06:40:53 PM

Quote from: Lorizael on March 26, 2018, 05:30:44 PM

Most of my friends are people I've known for 15+ years. We're pretty close, but there aren't that many of them. And all of them want to die.

Not that I'm one of the ones of whom you speak, but I long ago realized I'm stuck with having been born and existing, so better make the best of it.

That is the only distinction, leaving aside the RL &15 years...

Quote from: Syn on March 26, 2018, 05:39:44 PM

Hey, me too. It's nice to share interests with so many people. ;lol

I'd miss you.  Totally not blowing smoke up.

Title: Re: Would you join a colonization voyage?
Post by: Rusty Edge on March 27, 2018, 03:23:54 AM

Quote from: Lorizael on March 26, 2018, 05:30:44 PM

Quote from: Rusty Edge on March 26, 2018, 03:48:13 PM

Quote from: Lorizael on March 26, 2018, 02:49:27 PM

Probably only once everyone I knew was dead.

Congratulations. You seem to be better connected now than when I first started interacting with you.

Heh. Most of my friends are people I've known for 15+ years. We're pretty close, but there aren't that many of them. And all of them want to die.

Well, if 80% don't survive the mission, it's probably a good team project for them. ( insert appropriately unserious smiley )

Title: Re: Would you join a colonization voyage?
Post by: Rusty Edge on March 27, 2018, 03:32:32 AM

Quote from: Green1 on March 26, 2018, 03:54:19 PM

Quote from: Rusty Edge on March 25, 2018, 10:06:29 PM

It occurs to me I wouldn't pass a genetic screening. I lack a successful mutation 98 percent have. I wouldn't even make a good source of spare parts.

Good thing is we are talking late 90s high tech. SMAX is a period piece.

The only genetic testing would be versus things they already knew were genetic. Remember, the Human Genome Project was only completed in real life during the Clinton Administration.

Stuff like bad eyesight (even if correctable), relatives having dementia, schizophrenia, sickle cell, etc.

 

There you go. I would have passed with flying colors last century, only to potentially contaminate the gene pool on the new colony. I exaggerated before, most of my organs are perfectly useful. The few bad ones are critical and would be worse in space. 

Title: Re: Would you join a colonization voyage?
Post by: E_T on March 27, 2018, 03:51:12 AM

spare parts....

Title: Re: Would you join a colonization voyage?
Post by: Rusty Edge on April 01, 2018, 08:17:33 PM

You're probably right. I would have made the trip, died an unpleasant death because of my genetics, then kept the rest of me for spare parts because I am type O blood.

Title: Re: Would you join a colonization voyage?
Post by: E_T on April 01, 2018, 09:55:39 PM

kept you alive and harvested your blood.... 

Title: Re: Would you join a colonization voyage?
Post by: Rusty Edge on April 03, 2018, 02:34:30 AM

Probably could with a heart-lung machine.

Title: Re: Would you join a colonization voyage?
Post by: ColdWizard on April 03, 2018, 03:50:11 PM

Fury Road in space, starring Rusty Edge.

Title: Re: Would you join a colonization voyage?
Post by: Rusty Edge on April 04, 2018, 02:24:05 AM

That reminds me to schedule a donation this week.

Title: Re: Would you join a colonization voyage?
Post by: Buster's Uncle on April 04, 2018, 02:47:20 AM

Blood, I hope, not something that won't grow back...

Title: Re: Would you join a colonization voyage?
Post by: Syn on April 04, 2018, 02:53:36 AM

What's a kidney between friends?

Title: Re: Would you join a colonization voyage?
Post by: Buster's Uncle on April 04, 2018, 03:01:43 AM

Rusty not posting anymore - I'd hate that.

Title: Re: Would you join a colonization voyage?
Post by: E_T on April 04, 2018, 03:10:52 AM

Quote from: Syn on April 04, 2018, 02:53:36 AM

What's a kidney between friends?

A Kidney...

Title: Re: Would you join a colonization voyage?
Post by: Syn on April 04, 2018, 03:14:31 AM

Man, you guys are just poo-pooing my good ideas. He won't even notice it's gone!

Title: Re: Would you join a colonization voyage?
Post by: Buster's Uncle on April 04, 2018, 03:53:45 AM

His wife might, and he's a "happy wife, happy life" guy, and that's a quote.

Title: Re: Would you join a colonization voyage?
Post by: Rusty Edge on April 04, 2018, 06:48:36 PM

Ha Ha! My  kidneys are prone to stones, "give me kidney stones or give me death" is not a choice you want to make. I know, stones are way more complicated than that, but would you want a new kidney complete with starter stones/crystals that could grow?

Thanks, Buncle. 

Title: Re: Would you join a colonization voyage?
Post by: E_T on April 04, 2018, 07:53:05 PM

Crystal harvesting in microgravity....

Title: Re: Would you join a colonization voyage?
Post by: Rusty Edge on April 05, 2018, 02:52:49 AM

Well, I did manage to donate blood today, which will put me on an approximate  schedule of Memorial Day, 4th of July, and Labor Day, then maybe Thanksgiving, because I'm usually travelling in early November. That's what I like to do, donate when most people are too busy to bother. That's when the supplies are lowest. Must have been true today, because they slapped a red "requested" label on my bag and I've never seen that before.

Title: Re: Would you join a colonization voyage?
Post by: Unorthodox on April 05, 2018, 04:39:28 AM

20 years ago maybe.  Not now.