Generation Ships--- Can we build one now?

[MarkB]

When it comes to generational ships, why not just cryogenically freeze the crew/colonists instead?

Because that comes with its own technological challenges, which we haven't yet overcome. If/when we do, it would indeed be a more viable option.

 

[Mustrum_Ridcully]

When it comes to generational ships, why not just cryogenically freeze the crew/colonists instead?

(Think S.S. Botany Bay from Star Trek: Original Series).

This saves on the need/space/weight of food, food production, waste disposal/recycling, oxygen production, etc.

Well, we can't cryogenically freeze people and revive them later, so it would defniitely hinder us from doing it now. And then it wouldn't be a Generation Ship anymore.

 

[Hussar]

Just as a point - a generation ship won't be travelling for 300 years. Probably closer to 3000. You're not going to get anything that massive anywhere near an appreciable percentage of C.

And, the point about captive populations is an important one. Sure, your first generation volunteered and trained for the trip. Probably had to compete against lots of other people to get a place. But, every generation after the first is essentially slaves.

Not conducive to a healthy society.

 

[Ryujin]

Well, we can't cryogenically freeze people and revive them later, so it would defniitely hinder us from doing it now. And then it wouldn't be a Generation Ship anymore.

Yup, technically that would then be a "sleeper ship" and you're right, we can't do that now. At least not unless all we want to sent is frogs and salamanders.

 

[Tonguez]

Just as a point - a generation ship won't be travelling for 300 years. Probably closer to 3000. You're not going to get anything that massive anywhere near an appreciable percentage of C.

And, the point about captive populations is an important one. Sure, your first generation volunteered and trained for the trip. Probably had to compete against lots of other people to get a place. But, every generation after the first is essentially slaves.

Not conducive to a healthy society.

most serious theorist on the subject highlight social and psychological stability as one of the major impediments to life in space - humans are adapted to planets and may not be able to cope living long term in a ship in space (even the biodome experiments on earth have broken down due to social tension)

 

[Eltab]

Sure, your first generation volunteered and trained for the trip. Probably had to compete against lots of other people to get a place. But, every generation after the first is essentially slaves.

The Pilgrims left England for keeps, and discovered that the young generation - which did not have the same experiences (including persecutions) as their parents - was not producing the same spiritual results. Especially missing were the dramatic 'conversion experiences' which the Pilgrims also used as the test for full membership in the church. The kids had grown up in a society that had only one church available, and did not have to make a major life decision to join it.

I wonder what cultural features a generation ship crew will discover their kids are not impressed with, and what will draw the kids' attention / enthusiasm instead.

 

[Shasarak]

How does being born on a Generation ship make you a slave? That is like the Indian guy suing his parents because they did not have his consent to be born.

It just gives Millennials a bad name.

 

[Hussar]

The Pilgrims left England for keeps, and discovered that the young generation - which did not have the same experiences (including persecutions) as their parents - was not producing the same spiritual results. Especially missing were the dramatic 'conversion experiences' which the Pilgrims also used as the test for full membership in the church. The kids had grown up in a society that had only one church available, and did not have to make a major life decision to join it.

I wonder what cultural features a generation ship crew will discover their kids are not impressed with, and what will draw the kids' attention / enthusiasm instead.

Well, that's perhaps not the best example. The Pilgrims wouldn't care one whit about the morality of forcing subsequent generations into a given life considering their religious beliefs. After all, the children of Pilgrims are also the chosen and are the only ones going to Heaven. Where you happened to live wasn't really a consideration.

But, also, within a couple of generations, the descendants of pilgrims had a multitude of life choices, including returning to Europe if they so wanted.

How does being born on a Generation ship make you a slave? That is like the Indian guy suing his parents because they did not have his consent to be born.

It just gives Millennials a bad name.

You are consigning thousands of people to a single life that they cannot ever leave. Not only that, but, they MUST conform to life on the ship whether they want to or not. What do you do with those who want to return to Earth? With those who don't want to be on a generation ship, forced into labor not of their choosing?

The moral implications of something like this are pretty staggering when you think about it. You are locking people into a choice, thousands of people mind you, that they had no say in whatsoever. And everyone one of those later generations MUST adhere to shipboard rules, rules that will force people into specific labor, into specific roles.

In what way is that not slavery?

 

[Shasarak]

You are consigning thousands of people to a single life that they cannot ever leave. Not only that, but, they MUST conform to life on the ship whether they want to or not. What do you do with those who want to return to Earth? With those who don't want to be on a generation ship, forced into labor not of their choosing?

The moral implications of something like this are pretty staggering when you think about it. You are locking people into a choice, thousands of people mind you, that they had no say in whatsoever. And everyone one of those later generations MUST adhere to shipboard rules, rules that will force people into specific labor, into specific roles.

In what way is that not slavery?

If it is slavery then who owns who?

 

[Tonguez]

If it is slavery then who owns who?

Weyland Corporation obviously