> >I suppose I, like many others, have been infected with the idea that the
> various bodies of the solar system are all potential resource mines,
> promising huge fortunes in whatever it is that would compel people to go
> there. If the conditions are just too cost extravagant, however, then are
> we humans destined to spend eternity on our little terrestial abode?<
> SF writers do it this way: We skip over the ruminations of the Bruce
Moomaws
> of the world, and, with a shrug of our shoulders, assume that mankind has
> developed a fantastically powerful and incredibly cheap propulsion system
> with the structural strength to handle it. Problem solved! Warp drive? No
> problemo! So with this propulsion system and strong vehicle, we can just
> load it up with whatever valuable material we find and ship it off to the
> highest bidder.
I guess that's why I'm not much of a Star Trek fan... I just can't get past
the warp 5 to another planet to mess with, the air all the humans and pseudo
humans can breath on any world they come to, etc, etc.
However, Bruce Moomazations included, I think realistic science fiction is a
good read -- where it holds to the classic construct of 'science, in a tale,
used to solve a problem'. Is it just the lack of imagination, or research,
which causes so many science fiction writers to skip all the steps,
particularly when those steps are so very interesting, and practically
important?
> So here it is: The material? Water. The location? Europa. The customer? A
> species from a planet in dire need of water.
Now THIS is one space opera subject I've never understood... why would a
critter that developed on an arid world have such a dire need for water?
Heck, here on Earth, there are numerous animals that get all the water they
need from the food they eat. Anyway, water's pretty easy to synthesize,
particularly for a space-faring species.
So, Gail, and Roberta, here's my challenge: besides the notions of going to
another planet or moon 'because it's there', can you come up with a tangible,
productive purpose for investing billions of dollars in something with what
appears to have so little intrinsic value?
-- JHB
The propulsion system? Why, the
> usual, of course.
> Watch the skies!
> :-)
==
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