From: tkoenig@netcologne.de   
      
   0something0  schrieb:   
      
   > The setting is that due to widespread deployment of automation, going to and   
   > living in space is a wholenlot easier, driving more people to exteaterristial   
   > colonies. However, after the people rise up against robots, the UEF(United   
   > Earth Federation) bans automation. Since the colonies heavily depend on   
   > automation to sustain themselves and are under the jurisdiction of the UEF,   
   > they have to somehow preserve automation.   
      
   This really depends on what sort of technology/economy you have going on Mars.   
      
   Assuming no terraforming, people need specially tailored high tech to survive   
   on Mars. You need those spacesuits, those electric motors, those rubber seals,   
   those air tanks, those water extractors, those airtight panels which allow   
   light through to grow plants, those lightbulbs (or LEDs or whatever) for   
   lighting etc. And I am also assuming that you want UV stabilizers for the   
   Polycarbonate glazing on your spacesuit - having that go brittle and break   
   on you while you're wearing it is not the best thing.   
      
   On Earth, we have a highly complex economy, and, if all else fails,   
   we can (almost) always go outside for some fresh air. Plus, we have   
   a large amount of hydrocarbons available, and oxygen.   
      
   So, a Martian economy will likely be based on fulfilling the basic   
   needs of its population for survival, with specialized materials   
   or parts still coming from Earth.   
      
   Given the harsh conditions on the Mars surface, and the radiation exposure for   
   anybody working there, it is likely that automation will _have_ to be used   
   there.   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)