Well it seems we are finally back on track to establishing penal colonies on the moon. First step of course was to set up the means to get there and then it is just a matter of time before some bright spark discovers that sending the dregs of humanity to the Moon is the answer to the question that has dogged liberals since they were dropped on their heads as babies. What do we do with the people who are truly horrible despite the fact that there is no such thing as a bad kid?
That's right, Comrade, We send them to the Moon!
I enjoyed The Ring of Charon by Roger MacBride Allen and was really delighted to find both that book and the sequel, The Shattered Sphere in a very odd used book store south and east of Zanesville. The story featured some wonderful bits from the Naked Purple Movement and their takeover of the Soviet Penal Colony on the Moon. Once the Purples hit there was no coming back.
So now it looks like, at long last, we are on our way to Penal Colonies on the Moon and I for one wonder if they'll take after the place described by Heinlein in The Moon is a Harsh Mistress or something else along those lines but you know, there's going to be people that find the idea of sending horrible people to the moon is a grand idea. Out of sight is out of mind.
On the gripping hand, which is closer, the moon or Chicago?
Well duuh, you can see the moon......
2 comments:
The fundamental physics do not allow for widespread colonization or use of "space". Because we are dependant on chemical rockets where only 10% of a rocket is payload, 10% is rocket and the rest fuel. That's physics. And it doesn't care about fantasy or dreams. Till we find a way to nullify and control gravity we will never be a "space faring" species in any meaningful fashion.
Embrace the Beanstalk!
Yes yes, I know, it is more impossible physics but keep in mind those giant brains at the NYT that pronounced the utter impossibility of HTA flight right about the time the Wright brothers were doing it.
And of course you do realize I’m not advocating for lunar penal colonies but remember just how absurd it was to send undesirables to Siberia and if that was idiocy, consider the voyage from Britain to Botany Bay took over 9 months….
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