So, above, I meant to say, "If so, is it possible that there are new ideas and plans that are a better match to our current situation?" rather than "it is possible." I've tried to edit the post but it doesn't work, it just takes me to an obsolete draft version. Please note my correction, and sorry for any confusion!
1900s? Pfah. Why not sharpen the distinction between the recent years by calling it "Second Millennium SF", and call for SF of the Third?
And Second Millennium SF was often the culmination of that millennium, which was distinguished by (1) exploration, (2) invasion, and (3) colonization. From the French invading England in 1066, and the Mongols taking China a century later, it was one long millennium of invading, not just next-door neighbours like in the 1st millennium, but distant countries now accessible via new transport technology.
So: Star Trek and Heinlein and Asimov and Star Wars were all sure the main point of space exploration was colonization. And if we can't find a "Class M Planet" (which just littered the galaxy in most futures), then we'll build an O'Neill. Or a Ringworld.
At the time, we were also freaking out about the Limits to Growth and overpopulation. Now, we're looking at the human race *shrinking* to start off the 3rd millennium, we're really sure we can't do FTL, and colonies look both impossible and unneccessary.
So, as briefly as can be stated, 3rd millennium SF will not be about more quantity, but more quality, of life.
These look like some very interesting projects! Is the waterway disruption, mentioned in the blurb on the Deodand's keystone project, a temporary, supportive scaffolding that aims to eventually be supplied by actual beavers - or is it meant to be a sustainable ecological modification that would obviate the contribution of beavers in that biome?
So, above, I meant to say, "If so, is it possible that there are new ideas and plans that are a better match to our current situation?" rather than "it is possible." I've tried to edit the post but it doesn't work, it just takes me to an obsolete draft version. Please note my correction, and sorry for any confusion!
1900s? Pfah. Why not sharpen the distinction between the recent years by calling it "Second Millennium SF", and call for SF of the Third?
And Second Millennium SF was often the culmination of that millennium, which was distinguished by (1) exploration, (2) invasion, and (3) colonization. From the French invading England in 1066, and the Mongols taking China a century later, it was one long millennium of invading, not just next-door neighbours like in the 1st millennium, but distant countries now accessible via new transport technology.
So: Star Trek and Heinlein and Asimov and Star Wars were all sure the main point of space exploration was colonization. And if we can't find a "Class M Planet" (which just littered the galaxy in most futures), then we'll build an O'Neill. Or a Ringworld.
At the time, we were also freaking out about the Limits to Growth and overpopulation. Now, we're looking at the human race *shrinking* to start off the 3rd millennium, we're really sure we can't do FTL, and colonies look both impossible and unneccessary.
So, as briefly as can be stated, 3rd millennium SF will not be about more quantity, but more quality, of life.
These look like some very interesting projects! Is the waterway disruption, mentioned in the blurb on the Deodand's keystone project, a temporary, supportive scaffolding that aims to eventually be supplied by actual beavers - or is it meant to be a sustainable ecological modification that would obviate the contribution of beavers in that biome?