Okay, I know this is a complete nonsequiter, but I have something I need to rave about.



I have been reading serious, heavy Speculative Fiction for the better part of the last ten years (and you can pretty much thank tranari exclusively for this rant), and it has inspred within me a Wanderlust I didn't know I had. Now, it's entirely possible that I would have had it anyway; my Father clearly hears the call of the wild geese almost as loudly as Lazarus Long, but that's beside the point. For whatever reason, I have this love of exploring, of journeying. Anyone who's gone camping with me is probably thinking "Bullshit" right about now, because I act kinda (okay, extremely) bitchy whenever I'm out in deep nature. That's just because I hate mosquitos. But in recent years, I've learned that I'm actually more comfortable in long pants and sleeves, even in the summer, so I've been enjoying it outdoors more and more since the last time I went mountain climbing. Which was about six years ago, with stormslegacy and her father. Oddly enough, even when I pissed and moaned most, inside I was content.

But my wanderlust exceeds a mere trip up Manadnock (spelling?). For Horizon Fever, there is no cure. I always want to see what's over there. I've started riding my bike more, started walking further. of course, I prefer a clear, middling warm day, but given one, I can usually go forever. I have endurance, not speed. This spring/summer, I'll be exploring my environs (West Boylston) more closely, and on foot.

But what does this have to do with Sci-fi, you ask? Well, little Jimmy, the answer is simple: I love exploring. That doesn't mean "exploring West Boylston" or "exploring New England" or even "exploring North America". I love the idea of seeing just what that thing is, that thing that's farther out there than anyone has gone. Going Boldly isn't just a Star Trek thing, it's a Primate thing, and it's a wonderful thing. And I love to talk about it. I love seeing how other people feel about the idea of a human habitat on the moon, of spreading the Race out among the stars. Sometimes, people seem interested, but don't know what to say. It's something they've never considered as possible. Scifi itself is partly to blame for this, for making "Moon Colony" seem roughly equivalent to "Middle Earth"; I.E, impossible.

Another group is just as interested as I, and we can spend hours discussing the various possiblilites, in the end agreeing and accepting that we're likely wrong about how to go about it, but also certain that it can, and more importantly, SHOULD be done. This man is my true Kinsman. There's always something interesting to be gotten from such a conversation, even if it's a contradiction of my own cherished ideals of space travel. Maybe someone has a different idea of what the makeup of such a colony should be, or maybe someone thinks that the military has no place among the stars. We see the benefits, both immediate and long-term to throwing humanity all across the universe.

For one: if we start with large colony ships, equipped (and designed) for years and years travelling, and we send them out in large numbers, we can ease the population problems in places like China and India. We can help with Territorial disputes in parts of the Balkans (ethnic groups who just want a place to call their own might leap at the chance to start somewhere new, and who could blame them).

We can help with hunger (hydroponic farming in low gravity), with homelessness (the first wave travels for the same price: everything you own goes to founding the first colony), even with Medical Science (new chemicals possible only in vacuum or in low gravity).



But it is the last group which makes me sad. This last group thinks that mucking about in the solar system is at best, pointless, and at worst, a total waste of time, of no benefit to man. This group would see us give up the space program, all plans to land colonies on the moon, on mars, as unnecessary. Maybe we'll keep a small supply of ships around for satellites, but that's it. That's all we need, right? This is simply unforgivably short-sighted thinking, the type that would have stopped Columbus from making his journey, the type that would have had Pasteur shot for his "Germ" heresy. Never does this group have a better reason than a stubborn and unreasoned "Because!", and that gets old quickly. Mankind belongs out there, among the stars at least as much as it belongs here on earth. But please, if you disagree, tell me. Maybe you'll be the one to give me pause. I wait for that day, because every pause is but another test for me to strengthen the argument in favor. Someday, there will be no detractions left.



In totally unrelated news, it looks like the Cash office is short changing me because the new accountant 'didn't know' that there are different pay rates for weekday, weekend, Rental, Birthday and Overknight time. oh, and no one ever told her about the Armor pay rate. Which is about $75 an hour, and I've done 3 hours since she started. we had a little chat yesterday, and once the IRS auditors (who were not there at my call) leave, we'll have another chat. huzzah (bitter voice).