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Loading... Colonies in Space (original 1977; edition 1977)by T. A Heppenheimer (Author), Ray Bradbury (Introduction)
Work InformationColonies in Space by T. A. Heppenheimer (1977)
   No current Talk conversations about this book. 1   DLMorrese | Aug 23, 2017 |  no reviews | add a review
Is there life in space? Within the solar system, which we can reach and are now beginning to explore, the answer may be: Nothing but spores and bacteria. Perhaps the answer is: Nothing. Beyond our region of space the answer may yet be: Civilizations and cultures of greatness and magnificence untold. But we have not yet learned to detect them or to communicate with them.As this has become apparent there has been a reaction against many of the more utopian hopes associated with space flight. Less than fifteen years ago John Kennedy could commit the nation to explore "this new ocean," with widespread hope that we were entering a new Age of Discovery. Today it is fashionable to believe that our problems can find solution only on earth and there is nothing in space which can aid us in any way.This is not so. If we cannot find planets fit for us to live on, or if Mars is not up to our fondest hopes - very well. We can take our own life into space. We can build colonies in space, as pleasant as we want and productive enough to markedly improve humanity's future prospects. And, we can begin to do this anytime we please. No library descriptions found. |
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 Google Books — Loading...GenresMelvil Decimal System (DDC)629.47Technology Engineering and allied operations Other Branches Astronauts and Space TravelLC ClassificationRatingAverage: (3.82)
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Wikipedia in English (3)
7
Published in 1978 (copyright 1977), the author's predictions about what would happen over the next forty years are often incorrect. He did not foresee, for example, the stunning advances that have been achieved in solar voltaic cells, artificial intelligence, 3D printing, or the possibility of cultured meat (his colonies would raise chickens and goats). He was extrapolating from the proven technology of the time, and all of these areas were still quite speculative.
He was also extrapolating from current culture and politics, prior to Reaganomics or the collapse of the Soviet Union. I found the following rather poignant:
Barring a catastrophic epidemic of human stupidity, the decades ahead are likely to see the foundations solidly laid for a world without large-scale poverty or hopelessness, a world of opportunity, rising living standards and widely shared middle-class levels of affluence. Such a world will endure into the indefinite future. (pages 250-251 of the 1st edition Warner mass market paperback)
Obviously, the world he envisioned didn't come about. One can argue whether this is good or bad, but the political motivation and the governmental financial capacity to fund large-scale space development no longer exists. We didn't build space colonies. Perhaps, some day, we will. If humanity is to survive into the distant future, I believe we must.
This review is also being published on the Avery Slom Philosophical Laboratory (