Text Cut: sweetpinkpixie
Quote:
Originally Posted by
sweetpinkpixie 
"In theory, what you all just did now with your suggestions is precisely what planetary engineering is all about. More specifically, what terraforming is - the science of transforming a planet to support human life. I simply took a few liberties with the simulation to ensure that no one was at any real risk." Because, as he had already confirmed, he was NOT in fact trying to kill anyone. Simply illustrate a fact or two. "The term itself was first coined in science fiction back in 1942 in a story written by Jack Williamson, but has since then gained momentum in the scientific community. So much so that NASA has held various terraforming conferences and debates over the last century. Of the eight planets in our solar system, Mars is thought to be the most likely candidate to be turned into another Earth and, in fact, the methodology necessary to do so may humanity's technological capabilities. However, as is explained on page 579 of your textbook, there are some very large obstacles in the way of achieving this." He paused for a moment to move back to the middle of the semi circle of desks. "The process would take centuries to achieve and we only saw out first manned orbit to Mars in the early 2040's, so even before a plan could be put in place there is a dispute among scientific minds as to whether or not we, the human race, should terraform Mars at all. What are your thoughts on the subject? Colonization, terraforming, or none of the above? You may refer to your textbooks for further information should the need arise."
There was no right or wrong answer, he was merely curious what the future generation felt when approached with this topic.
So her answer wasn't ALL the way correct, but it wasn't wrong either. Ariadne was starting to think Astronomy might be one of her toughest subjects. You had to REALLY think outside the box in this class, and that was pretty hard if you hadn't been in space and seen things for yourself. This was only her first year and her first class, though. She still had time! The good news is that the smell and the freezing cold temperature had been charmed back to normal. Maybe THAT would wake up her brain cells!
Terraforming. Ariadne had never even heard the term before. Either way, the professor sure liked to talk! She got the gist of things, though, AND she had an idea! It was an open debate, but she raised her hand anyway.
"But we still haven't figured out if there really is life on other planets or not. What if there really is? And what if the ones who live there need a certain temperature to survive?" she pointed out.
"We could be wiping out this whole different civilization that we don't even know about."
BUT...if there really was no other living beings on any other planets, then yeah. She was game for whatever. It WOULD make a really long spaceship ride to go visit relatives on other planets, though.