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From: amr@rti-sel.UUCP
Newsgroups: net.space,net.columbia
Subject: Re: Why does everyone want to leave this planet?
Message-ID: <671@rti-sel.UUCP>
Date: Mon, 17-Feb-86 16:11:20 EST
Article-I.D.: rti-sel.671
Posted: Mon Feb 17 16:11:20 1986
Date-Received: Wed, 19-Feb-86 03:58:45 EST
References: <661@tekigm.UUCP> <158@axiom.UUCP> <932@nmtvax.UUCP> <1993@orca.UUCP> <2960@ut-ngp.UUCP>
Reply-To: amr@rti-sel.UUCP (Alan Roberts)
Organization: Research Triangle Institute, NC
Lines: 44
Xref: watmath net.space:5890 net.columbia:2393
Summary: 

In article <2960@ut-ngp.UUCP> cgeiger@ut-ngp.UUCP (Charles S. Geiger, Esq.) writes:
>Well, why?  While I am very interested in astronomy and all that
>sort of thing, I don't understand why anyone would want to
>permanently migrate to another planet. . .

I'm not really taking issue with the fact that some people who want to
explore/migrate/whatever are looking for adventure, wealth, and fame.
I'd just like to point out a couple of other reasons.  How does long-
term survival of the human race grab you?  We have created a rather
complex mix of technology and politics on this planet.  At times our
world seems dangerously close to trying to discover whether a nuclear
exchange would destroy higher-order life or not.  If you are not too
concerned about this, have you considered what happens the day the
lab blows up at Better Bacteria for Mankind Inc., and releases the
stuff they have secretly been working on under a DoD grant?  I for
one will sleep more soundly (even on this planet!) when (if) I know
that no single catastrophe will destroy mankind.  That really won't
happen until there are manned, permanent, self-sustaining colonies
capable of developing and supporting a broad industrial base some-
where besides the Earth.  Concern about man's long-term survival may
not be widespread, but I doubt that I am the only one with this
opinion.

>
>Frankly, I hope all of you gung-ho types will get the opportunity
>to leave and will take advantage of it. . . 
>                       . . . and I can be at peace here.

Some of the people who want to get into space badly may in fact share
your desire for peace (or isolation).  There have always been people 
who prefered to live in relative solitude.  These people are facing a
tougher and tougher fight for their freedom on Earth as open space is
devoured for the living or recreation areas for the rest of us (seen
the CROWD at the average national forest recently)?  For this type of
person, an asteroid and the means to live on it with as little contact
with others as possible might be the ultimate in "peace."
-- 


					Cheers,

					Alan Roberts
					Research Triangle Institute
					(decvax!mcnc!rti-sel!amr)