[TML] 20mm cannons and bulky aliens

[Brad Murray]

On Jan 23, 2008 2:11 PM, Stuart Frew <stuart at frew.net.nz> wrote:
> Not if the market rejects it. Tainted goods.
>
> And the selection against this model could be that no-one will sign up for
> being put in a coffin (equivalent) and drugged up to the eyeballs.

If that's the case (though you deliberately load the scenario by
casting the drugs as seeming detrimental -- if there are no
detrimental side effects then the point is much weaker) then it seems
that the enormous advantage humans have in efficiency in space means
that K'kree will mostly hire space travel out to humans wherever a
profit or military advantage needs to be made.

> Some times the selection is against economic efficiency but towards social
> goals.
> Factory conditions are much better and safer these days despite the fact it
> costs the owners profit to do so.

This is certainly true but it pre-supposes no external pressures with
different efficiencies.

> (Except of course when us westerners export the "efficiencies" to third
> world countries.)

Here being precisely that exception.  For third world countries read
human mercenaries/contractors.

-- 
Brad Murray (halfjack)