Ok, so we have found a new home. Who gets to go ?

[HAL9000]

Let us imagine that astronomers have found a new Earth-like planet. It's almost identical. but it is way over the other side of the Galaxy. It should be safe when our Sun eats us.

We have the technology to get there within half a lifetime. But there is one big question..

Who should go ?

Once the place has been set up it will be possible to take a lot of people from here and re-settle them there. But for the first trip only about ten thousand can go.

Looking around there are obviously lots of people who will not be going.

But who should ? And what is the religious aspect of this as we do not want to recreate the mess we have here.

Perhaps some 'prime seeding stock'. But they also have to be practical people who can build from the ground up.

Anyone any thoughts ?

Any of you who read Kim Stanley Robinson's 'Mars' trilogy (Red, Green, Blue Mars) Will appreciate that the social mix will be very important.

 

[wwkirk]

The gene pool needs to be optimally diversified. In addition, there needs to be psychological screening to hopefully preclude dangerous conflicts. But a social and administrative system also has to be carefully designed, as presumably this will be a multi-generational ship or fleet.

So, the matter is quite complex. No simple answer is possible.

 

[pigfarmer]

Based on past history the first few boatloads are specialists who have the resources. After that it's anybody who can get there.

 

[nivek]

Who should go ?

Do you really think the masses will have any say on who goes and who stays behind?...

...

 

[nivek]

Have to remember to take some of the right people in case you have to bug out from that planet and return to earth in case there are some unforeseen issues that were not known about before sending people there to colonize...People who could prepare and get everyone off that planet safely is necessary...

...

 

[HAL9000]

Do you really think the masses will have any say on who goes and who stays behind?...

...

Not what I was asking. I wanted some feedback on who would be selected for the initial work.

Particularly from the point of view of avoiding the problems we have here.