Are Clone Ships a Better Alternative for Space Colonization?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the feasibility of clone ships as an alternative to generation ships for space colonization. Participants explore various technological, logistical, and narrative implications of both concepts, considering their potential advantages and disadvantages in the context of long-duration space missions.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants argue that generation ships may face significant challenges, including crew dynamics, the need for long-term sustainability, and potential mid-flight failures.
  • Others propose clone ships as a solution, suggesting that sending genetic samples and creating clones on arrival could mitigate many issues associated with human crews during transit.
  • One participant highlights the technological advancements required for clone ships, including automated fabrication and the ability to replicate infrastructure on arrival.
  • Concerns are raised about the stopping mechanisms for clone ships upon reaching their destination, with suggestions for explosive separation to reduce momentum.
  • Some participants express skepticism about the narrative feasibility of multiple ships competing for the same colonization goal, questioning the rationale behind such designs.
  • There is a discussion about the implications of Earth's continued existence on the urgency of space colonization efforts, with some suggesting that funding and competition may not be primary concerns if humanity's survival is at stake.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the superiority of clone ships versus generation ships. Multiple competing views remain regarding the feasibility and narrative implications of each approach.

Contextual Notes

Participants acknowledge various technological assumptions, including the capabilities of automated systems and the potential for failures during transit or terraforming. The discussion also touches on the speculative nature of the scenarios presented, with no resolution on the viability of the proposed technologies.

  • #31
Algr said:
...writing to memory.
Of human minds?

Algr said:
Where is a biosphere that can support even a single human for a decade?
Biospheres exist that support humans. Viable biospheres use nothing but known technology.
Yes, we haven't perfected them, but that's not due to a lack of any exotic physics.
I've said multiple times that current technologies will definitely need advancing and scaling up.

Algr said:
Where is even a fictional description of social psychology that doesn't end in near disaster?
That is a soft problem. Social psychology itself is not a technology that hasn't been invented yet.

Algr said:
Where is a practical Fusion Reactor? Those are the magic technologies that don't exist.
I did say "with the possible exception of a fusion drive".

Algr said:
A clone ship can work without them, A generation ship can not.
Except for one or two orders of magnitude in mass, clone ships have the same problems with interstellar-class propulsion.

Algr said:
Of the three, the social psychology "technology" seems the most implausible to me.
It's not implausible. We're not talking about how hard it is to do it right; we're talking about whether there is a path to it at all.
Social psychology, in and of itself is established even if it's got a long way to go.

Algr said:
I'm going to take a break from this for a while so that things can cool down. I suggest that you do to.
No, I'm good. I hope you are not reading any malice into my words.

I think clone ships a fascinating, worthy discussion about speculative science; I just think you're getting waylaid by trying to compare it to existing science. Let it stand on its own as a story idea and this whole sidebar goes away.
 

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