Generation Ships

[Astromancer]

Originally Posted by mearrin69

I might have missed someone else making this point but it seems the ship itself could be programmed to control population. Maybe it keeps tabs on active population (counting embedded RFIDs or whatever) and pumps the folks food rations with birth control substances when kids aren't needed. If it could do it in a targeted way (rather than just piping it through the ventilation system) then it could even select who has kids based on genetics or something. Of course this would all be a Big Secret. A great conspiracy for people to uncover...and then sabotage and throw the whole thing off balance.

I don't see the problem with alcohol, or even stronger substances? We're talking about a generation ship, not a Navy vessel with a skeleton crew and tight shifts where everybody has to be sober 24/7. Abuse might be an issue that needs to be dealt with but casual consumption shouldn't be a big thing...until the grain harvest fails and people have to decide if they want bread or beer.
M

You'd need to be aware of what was happening to the crew as a safety matter. This is not the same as regimentation. An Open/democratic society and teaching children the values of Fairness and Awareness, as well as the need to listen to all parts of society as a major expression of both values, will give you the feedback to see where threats and problems are. This feedback, typical of Open Societies, is their great strength. It would keep a generation ship far safer than a nannybot AI.

Mind you, Nannybot AIs would still be very useful on or off a starship.