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Originally Posted by Targan
Let me state first that I'm not trying to gainsay anybody's ideas or display how clever I am. I like Wes' and Army SGT's ideas and I'm just running a critical eye over them.
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I think it well established that the participants use each other as sounding boards more than gathering for a consensus. A bit of criticism is good for the ego. Keeps mine in check anyway.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Targan
Once again, the high technology of a species that can cross interstellar space makes this idea redundant. You're absolutely right about the proteins though. Maybe if the aliens were like those in the Predator films this could be a factor (the aliens have a racial imperative to hunt and devour other sentient species).
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This assumes that a closed loop biosphere requiring only nutrient input and energy input is possible at their level and economically feasible. Stopping along the way and harvesting biomass may be cheaper or consume less than carrying along a garden the size of the Ukraine.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Targan
I can totally dig these ideas. If genetic engineering was an area of technology the invading aliens weren't so good at maybe subjugating a slave species would be a valuable outcome for them.
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Maybe it is the sheer biodiversity of our world. Maybe they see everything on the earth as an exploitable resource. Kangaroo liver becomes a moisturizer, and the human hypothalamus is an aphrodisiac, and garden slugs are the new frozen treat.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Targan
Why? There are incredibly vast amounts of water in space that would be much easier to access than the water at the bottom of the Earth's gravity well. The Oort Cloud (where the comets come from) contains untold trillions of gigalitres of water. And frankly if you can cross interstellar space you can most likely manufacture water cheaply and efficiently from hydrogen and oxygen.
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We assume this. Maybe purifiying the water out of trillions or tons of gravel, primitive proteins and peptides, along with common radioactive elements and heavy metals makes it simpler to extend a 500km siphon into liquid water at the bottom of a gravity well.