yes, I think human interstellar exploration (and yes, maybe even colonization) might be possible, after a fashion. But to get there, we’re going to have to master at least two entire technological fields that don’t yet exist, even before we start trying to blast compact disc sized machines up to relativistic velocities.

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Waypoints located on the surface of the Earth are usually defined in two dimensions (e.g., longitude and latitude); those used in the Earth’s atmosphere or in outer space are defined in at least three dimensions (four if time is one of the coordinates, as it might be for some waypoints outside the Earth).

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The moratorium and dream pursuing type of freeter deliberately chooses not to join the rat race in the usually strict and conservative companies (see: Culture of Japan) but instead wants to take a time-out to enjoy life or have specific dreams incompatible with a standard Japanese career

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The sense of stasis in many Western countries is reminiscent of Japan, where talk of a lost generation has been around since as long ago as 1995. Some 3.1 million Japanese aged 25 to 34 work as temps or contract employees—up from 2 million 10 years ago, according to the Ministry of Internal Affairs. Many Japanese blame the young people themselves, saying they are spoiled, alienated “freeters"—a term meaning job-hopping part-timers

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the Pew study reveals some other interesting statistical tidbits that point to broad economically-driven lifestyle shifts among Generation Y. For example, 12% of respondents have recruited a roommate to defray their housing costs. 15% of respondents under 35 report postponing marriage because of the recession and 14% put off having a baby. These findings, coupled with surging community college enrollment and the highest unemployment rate among workers aged 16- 24 in the last 60 years, point to a cohort of young Americans whose career and life trajectories are being significantly shaped by the current recession and who are either delaying or reversing traditional adult milestone activities and decisions

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Governments have cut interest rates, created new electronic money and allowed budget deficits to reach record levels in an attempt to boost growth after the near-collapse of the global financial system, but Turner said the problems in Dubai were indicative of widespread malaise. “Despite having oil, it’s still the case that many of these countries had explosive credit growth. It’s very clear that in 2010, we’ve got plenty more problems in store.”

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Recent works ranging from Battlestar Galactica to District 9 have intelligently explored how hoary old science fiction cliches might work when approached realistically, but all have pretty much assumed it would be impossible for all parties to approach such situations in good faith. After all, even when attempting to forge a truce with the humans, the Cylons always (allegedly) have a plan.

But since I’m pretty sure we’re still supposed to be in a bold, optimistic new age, I’d like to see what happens when you take a bunch of human separatists, throw them in a rickety old spaceship, and have them try to coexist with those already living on the planet they choose to settle. I’m not saying it would end well – if history is any indication, it won’t – but it would be interesting to see, just once, humans and aliens both start out with the best of intentions. (via Where Are All The Space Pilgrims? – io9)

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