3 ms·

> If a civilization doesn't have FTL then expansion beyond their solar system seems unlikely. Yes, it is still possible with sub-light travel, but then you run

> If a civilization doesn't have FTL then expansion beyond their solar system seems unlikely. Yes, it is still possible with sub-light travel, but then you run into the problem of motivation. > When limited to sub-light speed trade between colonies and the home system is so slow that you probably can't usefully import resources from the colony systems. I mean this seems to disregard our entire history as a species. There have always been "others" within a population that seek, above anything else, to find a new place to go in order to live life they way they want to. We are also moving into an age where data and knowledge are raising to supreme importance. Both of these things can be transported at the speed of light, so a multi-solar system civilization that is able to increase is total resources available to acquire new information and knowledge will be at an advantage. Then, of course, there is the desire to preserve the human species as a whole by "spreading our seeds" so to speak.

goatlover 5y ago
> I mean this seems to disregard our entire history as a species. There have always been "others" within a population that seek, above anything else, to find a new place to go in order to live life they way they want to. If the energy and time requirements are great enough, space between solar systems will work as the same sort of barrier space does for the rest of life on Earth.
tzs 5y ago
> I mean this seems to disregard our entire history as a species. There have always been "others" within a population that seek, above anything else, to find a new place to go in order to live life they way they want to. Sure, but those who have successfully done that have either went to a place near enough that they could take all the food and other supplies they would need during the trip there with them, or have went to a place where food and other resources were available on the way. I can't think of any human group that did a migration that had to cross a span that provided no food or drinkable water and was too long for them to cross on what food and water they could carry with them. With sub-light migration to other solar systems we are talking about crossing empty spans that will take several lifetimes to cross. There are ways to deal with that, but they are likely to be major undertakings that require a heck of a lot of resources so that to do it you need widespread support from the people who aren't going. My guess is that you'll need a pitch much stronger than "We want to go someplace to live our way" (especially since the people who leave won't be the ones who arrive at their destination--it will be their descendants).

goatlover 5y ago

> I mean this seems to disregard our entire history as a species. There have always been "others" within a population that seek, above anything else, to find a new place to go in order to live life they way they want to. If the energy and time requirements are great enough, space between solar systems will work as the same sort of barrier space does for the rest of life on Earth.

tzs 5y ago

> I mean this seems to disregard our entire history as a species. There have always been "others" within a population that seek, above anything else, to find a new place to go in order to live life they way they want to. Sure, but those who have successfully done that have either went to a place near enough that they could take all the food and other supplies they would need during the trip there with them, or have went to a place where food and other resources were available on the way. I can't think of any human group that did a migration that had to cross a span that provided no food or drinkable water and was too long for them to cross on what food and water they could carry with them. With sub-light migration to other solar systems we are talking about crossing empty spans that will take several lifetimes to cross. There are ways to deal with that, but they are likely to be major undertakings that require a heck of a lot of resources so that to do it you need widespread support from the people who aren't going. My guess is that you'll need a pitch much stronger than "We want to go someplace to live our way" (especially since the people who leave won't be the ones who arrive at their destination--it will be their descendants).