3 ms·

A one way mission doesn't necessary have to be either. I don't see why a person can't fly there never expecting to come home, then 20 years in the future after

A one way mission doesn't necessary have to be either. I don't see why a person can't fly there never expecting to come home, then 20 years in the future after an unexpected discovery get an opportunity to have a return flight. Another perspective, if something terrible happened to earth he/she could be the last person alive :\

smhinsey 16y ago
There is a scenario which comes up somewhat frequently in sci-fi I read that I find really fascinating, but I've never seen anything use it as a primary story device. Essentially it's the notion that the first several waves of ships sent out to colonize would be overtaken by subsequent generations with improved technology, creating a situation where you might emerge from a relatavistic voyage across dozens of light years only to find a colony already created and thriving. I think the one-way mission might be a similar situation. Presuming that the whole thing doesn't dissolve into farce, it seems likely that at some point a return voyage would be reasonable, potential health issues aside.
- wtracy 16y ago
  You know, I regularly see what you described as a "cliche" of the science fiction genre ... yet, like you, I can't name a single story that actually used it.
- iron_ball 16y ago
  I can't name the story, but I did read one. To the FTL travel civilization, with a thousand years of scientific and cultural change, the cryogenically suspended slower-than-light travellers were basically smelly cavemen.
- jcurbo 16y ago
  At least one story I know of that uses this plot device, at least in its backstory, is David Weber's Honor Harrington books. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Star_Kingdom_of_Manticore#History http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Star_Kingdom_of_Manticore#Histo...
  - smhinsey 16y ago
    I see it come up pretty often in passing, sort of like the scenario this looks like, although I haven't read anything from this series. Do you recommend it? I'm always looking for new sci-fi.
    - dstorrs 16y ago
      If you dig space opera then yes: Honor Harrington is your woman. The first few books are excellent. Once she gets promoted past the point where she can really be a ship captain, the stories turn political and start to drag a bit. Weber evidentally realized that this was not working, because he's started writing about new characters who are lower-level and therefore more interesting, so the newest books are once again a blast.
      - smhinsey 16y ago
        Thanks, it sounds like something I'd go for. As it turns out, I actually already have a few books by David Weber on my kindle but they are from a different (or no) series.

smhinsey 16y ago

There is a scenario which comes up somewhat frequently in sci-fi I read that I find really fascinating, but I've never seen anything use it as a primary story device. Essentially it's the notion that the first several waves of ships sent out to colonize would be overtaken by subsequent generations with improved technology, creating a situation where you might emerge from a relatavistic voyage across dozens of light years only to find a colony already created and thriving. I think the one-way mission might be a similar situation. Presuming that the whole thing doesn't dissolve into farce, it seems likely that at some point a return voyage would be reasonable, potential health issues aside.

wtracy 16y ago
You know, I regularly see what you described as a "cliche" of the science fiction genre ... yet, like you, I can't name a single story that actually used it.
iron_ball 16y ago
I can't name the story, but I did read one. To the FTL travel civilization, with a thousand years of scientific and cultural change, the cryogenically suspended slower-than-light travellers were basically smelly cavemen.
jcurbo 16y ago
At least one story I know of that uses this plot device, at least in its backstory, is David Weber's Honor Harrington books. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Star_Kingdom_of_Manticore#History http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Star_Kingdom_of_Manticore#Histo...
- smhinsey 16y ago
  I see it come up pretty often in passing, sort of like the scenario this looks like, although I haven't read anything from this series. Do you recommend it? I'm always looking for new sci-fi.
  - dstorrs 16y ago
    If you dig space opera then yes: Honor Harrington is your woman. The first few books are excellent. Once she gets promoted past the point where she can really be a ship captain, the stories turn political and start to drag a bit. Weber evidentally realized that this was not working, because he's started writing about new characters who are lower-level and therefore more interesting, so the newest books are once again a blast.
    - smhinsey 16y ago
      Thanks, it sounds like something I'd go for. As it turns out, I actually already have a few books by David Weber on my kindle but they are from a different (or no) series.