In honesty...?

Question

if nasa was going to be sending a colony to a planet outside our solar system that had its own ecosystem which could be more or less dangerous then earth, but can sustain human beings, would go? This is if they had a way to preserve your age. I know this is far fetched by i think of this stuff all the time. And i would definitely go, even though it would mean goodbye to all my loved ones.

i hate people who do not read. As i have stated already, "IF we have a way to preserve your age"! Please, for the love of anything you hold dear, dont just post a statement that just argues with space travel. It is very very annoying.

Joseph, the question was posed as a way of choosing between your friends and family, in the stead of your interest in adventure. That is why i didnt just say mars. And i dont know about your family but mine doesnt really want to go outside of earth.

Answer 1

Well first of all, no government agency like NASA will EVER have the resources to send a colony of anything more than a handful of people anywhere in space --- because socialism means never saying that there is enough money. Space colonization en-masse will have to be for-profit by those who know how to make a profit --- private companies. This also means an interplanetary commercial infrastructure already in place before interstellar colonies could be considered.

NOW TO THE GIST OF YOUR QUESTION: I would not personally choose to go UNLESS either the Earth was in immenent danger of asteroid impact OR Earthbound society had become intolerably oppressive that even the hardships of space colonization would be worth it if it meant a real return to liberty in the long run. Kind of like the motives of some of the pilgrims to the New World (America).

Answer 2

I've been writing a science fiction story where this is what happens at the end. So I have given it a lot of thought, too. I have about 20 pages dedicated just to the description of what would be entailed in such a trip. Would I go? In the beat of a gnat's eyelash!
I also think such a project would be funded eventually and here is what I believe the main argument would be. It would be the modern Noah view. We may not survive on this planet. If we establish roots elsewhere, the chance of survival for our species, (and any we take along), would be greatly increased. It would have to be conceded that we have an obligation to preserve life. We relocate animals which are in danger, so why not humans? Regardless of what cynical ideas we might have about ourselves, we are, for all we know, unique and precious in the cosmos.
So colonization on planets of other star systems would have its proponents and it would require considerable unselfishness. But then, the bottom line is always economics, isn't it? Have we taken necessary steps to preserve even *this* planet for our progeny 100 years from now?
I hope it happens one day. I get depressed thinking that we might be stuck here until we or something else destroys us and all that we have achieved. We would only need to send a few people to perpetuate the species.

Answer 3

To be honest, It wouldn't even be leaving the solar system that would drag me into space. If we ever settled Mars, or built colonies on the moon, or even hollowed out asteroids and used them for L5 habitations, I'd be one of the first to sign up.

I've always wanted to be in space, and I've always wanted to depend upon myself and be self-reliant.

Why would it mean goodby to your loved ones? Whole families would need to go, in order to maintain the genetic difference.

Answer 4

Nah, probably not. I imagine it would be like being the first pilgrims - you know, working off the land and everything - which DOES sound like a lot of fun, but still, I like Earth. I think I'd wait until they had a few cities established, a university, a symphony, etc.

Answer 5

In honesty, you are asking a philosophical question, not a scientific one. It doesn't surprise me that you are getting some answers that are not passing muster with your opinion.

It is a philosophical question that I would answer in the affirmative. I like the adventure and the risk, but I would go for the science.

This question would get more thought-provoking responses in the Philosophy section.

Answer 6

I think you're missing what the people mean who say, "I would have gone when I was young." It is the task of the young to break new ground, to go on quests and encounter adventures. As we age, there are more and more things binding us to our families and our homes. You aren't there yet, so, "I want to see my grandson graduate from college," or "I need to be here for my aging parents" mean nothing to you. To those of us for whom the quest has changed and sweetened, they mean everything.

Answer 7

When I was younger, I would have jumped at a chance to go to space at almost any personal cost. In middle age, I am happy to leave it to the young, and for myself stay home and tend my garden and my work.

Answer 8

You would have to travel generations at the speed of light in order to get there, which makes little sense to me. Why not put the finances we spend on this type of research to benefit mankind in the here and now?

Answer 9

I would go too. Funny but thats what I usually dream of, ya know... me going to a foreign planet n starting a new life...far fetched , isn't it? But its quite thrilling ! *smile*

Answer 10

When I was young and single, I would have gone. Now I am old and married and would not go.