Okay, I’ve got space travel on the brain. And I thought it would be interesting to take a small poll:
1. If you could travel into space for a short while, would you? Why or why not? How much would it be worth to you?
2. If you could go, but only as a one-way trip (say, near the end of your life), would you even consider it?
3. If you had the “Close Encounters” opportunity to go with aliens to their world, would you (under any circumstances you want to name)?
- Joni: yes, a lot, yes, and yes
Talk about the big questions first thing in the morning…
My answers would vary depending on where I am in my life. Right now I wouldn’t go. I’d miss the family way too much.
At the end of my life? I wouldn’t want to leave my loved ones behind. Now if everyone came along, that would be different.
Their planet – maybe – if my family went.
I would love to go if it was a short trip and I could come back to see outer space. It’d be awesome. I wouldn’t go at the end of my life with a one way ticket. Like PJ, I’d miss my family.
I’d like to meet others from outer space assuming they were nice.
1. Absolutely. Especially if the little green men had a way to prevent or counteract solar radiation and bone density degradation.
2. Why not? Shoot me into the sun if I’m on my death bed. It’ll be something for the grandkids to talk about.
3. Hmmm. I’d be hesitant here. I read The Sparrow years ago and the human visitation didn’t go over well. I’d probably have the same kind of luck.
If I was all alone in the universe and the world was about to end anyway.
But I’m kind of a home body and not a big risk taker in my real life. (In my pretend life I do all kinds of insane stuff. So maybe in my pretend life.)
I’m already there in my writing life. Real life? I’d be so sick, I get motion sick on a kiddie swing. At the end of my life, I’d die on the way up so what’s the point? Meeting aliens sounds fun, depending on the alien. If they guaranteed a return ticket and artificial gravity, I’d be on their ship in a heartbeat.
I hadn’t thought about the motion sickness! Good point.
I’d definitely go with the aliens. I want to know what their advanced race has been up to and why they would feel the need to reach out to us. Plus, I believe if there was ever an alien invasion, we wouldn’t stand a chance, because, honestly, if you (aliens) can get to our planet, you win by default. We’re still using the Space Shuttle for crying out loud. That’s like trying to drive cross country in a 1982 station wagon.
Oh, maybe we visit other planets in our dreams and just don’t realize it? But yeah. The station wagon. Better than walking, or not?
I would totally go on the alien ship. Can you imagine the cool stuff you’d see? And you know, being an advanced race, they’ve found a cure for motion sickness!
For the earth spaceship, I’d take Dramamine.
I might send some kind of avatar in my place–then I could experience space vicariously.
Would I go? HECKYEAH. I would love to just be able to see the stars and planets from space. It would be worth a large chunk–if not all–of my “disposable” income (not that there’s a lot of that, but yanno what I mean–I’d give up all the other luxuries in my life for that).
If it were a one-way trip, and near the end of my life…maybe. If, by end of my life, you mean that I’m still kicking but the people I love–husband, parents–are not, then yes. But roots pull me back to Earth.
With aliens…maybe. I wonder if I could be an interplanetary missionary? Cool idea…
I’m with you, Beth, on the heckyeah part. Maybe we could stand on the corner with cardboard signs that say, “Will work for shuttle berths”?
Right now? I’d probably keep my feet on earth. Family, y’know. When I’m ready to star in Cocoon, the remake, I’d likely be up for it.