08-17-2015, 09:56 PM
I can't say I've been impressed with anything KSR has written aside from the Mars Trilogy, which is unfortunate. I've not read this but a few points based on the feedback:
1) Colonising an earthlike planet with an existing ecosystem could very well be dangerous from a medical perspective. Whilst infections might be unlikely due to lack of co-evolution overstimulation of the innate immune system could be a huge problem. If the biochemistry is similar to Earth then the entire ecosystem is going to be soaked with material that could provoke a (lethal) allergic response.
2) Agreed with Todd. If you can build an interstellar colony ship you have to be able to build a self-sustaining ecosystem (one good enough to support a large population of humans). There's no requirement for a planet with a biosphere. You could built a closed city on a moon, planet or mine an asteroid to build a hab.
1) Colonising an earthlike planet with an existing ecosystem could very well be dangerous from a medical perspective. Whilst infections might be unlikely due to lack of co-evolution overstimulation of the innate immune system could be a huge problem. If the biochemistry is similar to Earth then the entire ecosystem is going to be soaked with material that could provoke a (lethal) allergic response.
2) Agreed with Todd. If you can build an interstellar colony ship you have to be able to build a self-sustaining ecosystem (one good enough to support a large population of humans). There's no requirement for a planet with a biosphere. You could built a closed city on a moon, planet or mine an asteroid to build a hab.
OA Wish list:
- DNI
- Internal medical system
- A dormbot, because domestic chores suck!