Skip to main content

story identification - McCarthyism, Martian Colonists, Water Powered Ships, and Mining Asteroids Near Saturn


I remember reading a story about humans colonizing Mars. It was from the point of view of a pilot and I think he and others were mining asteroids to use the materials on Mars. I do remember they used water vapor for thrusters.


Someone on Earth was using the Mars colonists as scapegoats and behaving like the Late Senator McCarthy. He kept referring to them as "Water wasters" and said they were demanding water from Earth and would use up all the water and humans would have to ration water and so on. In truth, the amount of water they were using (I think from Martian polar caps) was quite small and they were no threat -- the politician was just using them as a focus so he could build his career.


Rather than take him on politically, they sent an expedition out to Saturn, grabbed a large chunk of ice from Saturn's rings, brought it back, and I think they crashed it on Mars, talking about how it would serve their needs for decades or more.


I can't remember if there was more, such as figuring that one effect of that much water on Mars (as it changed into liquid form) would help with terraforming or not. But I remember the point was that they could not longer be used as a scapegoat by the politician.


The recent talk of asteroid mining has me thinking of this, but I can't remember the author's name or the title.



Answer




From your description, I believe this to be Isaac Asimov's "The Martian Way":


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Martian_Way


It's included in his Robot Dreams collection.


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

harry potter - Did Dolores Umbridge Have Any Association with Voldemort (or Death Eaters) before His Return?

I noticed that Dolores Umbridge was born during the first Wizarding War, so it's very likely she wasn't a Death Eater then (but she is pretty evil -- who knows?). After that Voldemort was not around in a way that could affect many people, and most wouldn't know he was planning to rise again. During that time, and up through Voldemort's return (in Goblet of Fire ), did Umbridge have any connection with the Death Eaters or with Voldemort? Was she doing what she did on her own, or was it because of an association with Voldemort or his allies? Answer Dolores Umbridge was definitely not a good person. However, as Sirius points out, "the world isn't split into good people and Death Eaters". Remember that he also says that he doesn't believe Umbridge to be a Death Eater, but that she's evil enough (or something like that). I think there are two strong reasons to believe that: Umbridge was proud to do everything according to the law, except when she trie...
Post a Comment
Read more

What is the etymology of Doctor Who?

I recently decided to watch Doctor Who, and started viewing the 2005 version. I have the first two episodes from the first season, and I can't help but wonder what is the etymology of the name "Doctor Who"? And why does the protagonist call himself "the Doctor" (or is it "the doctor")? Answer In the very first episode of Doctor Who (way back in 1963), the Doctor has a granddaughter going by the name "Susan Foreman", and the junkyard where the TARDIS is has the sign "I.M. Foreman". Barbara, who becomes one of the Doctor's companions, calls him "Doctor Foreman" (probably assuming that is his name given his relationship to Susan), and Ian (another early companion) does the same in the second episode, to which the Doctor says: Eh? Doctor who? What's he talking about? "Foreman" is most likely selected as a convenient surname for Susan to use because it happened to be on display near where the TARDIS landed....
Post a Comment
Read more

story identification - Animation: floating island, flying pests

At least 20 years ago I watched a short animated film which stuck in my mind. The whole thing was wordless, possibly European, and I'm pretty sure I didn't imagine it... It featured a flying island which was inhabited by some creatures who (in my memory) reminded me of the Moomins. The island was frequently bothered by large winged animals who swooped around, although I don't think they did any actual damage. At the end one of the moomin creatures suddenly gets a weird feeling, feels forced to climb to the top of the island and then plunges down a shaft right through the centre - only to emerge at the bottom as one of the flyers. Answer Skywhales from 1983. The story begins with a man warning the tribe of approaching skywhales. The drummers then warn everybody of the hunt as everyone get prepared to set "sail". Except one man is found in his home sleeping as the noise wake him up. He then gets ready and is about to take his weapon as he hesitates then decides ...
Post a Comment
Read more