jeffh4

jeffh4 t1_jaa1hyk wrote

Reply to comment by MoreGull in The Case for Callisto by MoreGull

As long as we don't have the stupid premise of Garden of Rama, then I'm fine.

What was that, you ask? A selection committee was created to select only the finest of the finest 2000 of Earth scientific minds to take the return journey to the Rama Node. However, they can't get that many so they fill in the extras with ... convicts. Not only convicts but convicts with life sentences. The story then proceeds to not bother to mention the few scientific minds chosen to go on the mission.

Number one in my "all time disappointment sequel" list. Number two is the sequel.

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jeffh4 t1_jaa05n3 wrote

Beside economics, the other overriding reasons in science fiction for establishing a space colony are fundamentalist regimes and fundamentalist religious groups.

Actually, add "extremely rich" to the beginning and "who whole-heartedly embrace technology" after then end of the two groups named above. We're unlikely to ever see the an Amish barn raising on Callisto. :-)

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jeffh4 t1_j6pdpmc wrote

Very nice characterization!

Why am I reminded of the Swamp Thing story when the lead was pissed at government agents that had arrested his girlfriend. Since Swamp Thing was a plant god, they ate only meat on their stakeout, until one man carelessly bit a tomato slice.

SPLAT! A huge tomato plant grows from the inside out.

I don't look forward to what happens when just a pinch of Goddess wakes up inside a grown man and woman!

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jeffh4 t1_j5m2z8y wrote

... or...

"Is it too late to ask for a fake ID and a ticket to somewhere off the grid?"

The Genie smiled. "1,835th time that's been asked. And you already had your wish.
Better luck next year."

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jeffh4 t1_j1cqr1c wrote

Well, it's about time.

The idea of Space-Based Solar Power has been around since the 1970s, at the time popularized by the book The High Frontier.

Just like the recent milestone in fusion power generation, this technology would need a large investment of time and money to become viable. The higher the investment, the faster the development.

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jeffh4 t1_iqxn4zm wrote

More like the impact into a loose pile of irregular boulders. The last couple of photos were stunning and unexpected. No smooth surface visible. Just jagged and loosely interlocked rocks.

Back to the chalkboard, folks! We need to explore the real possibility the probe emerged out the back of the asteroid without losing all of its momentum.

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