This issue was raised in a Star Trek episode (I fergit which one now). One of the Federation ships runs into just such a space ship on a generational mission and discovers that some of the people on board want out and are prepared to mutiny to get out. The 'Star Trek' solution of course is to offer those who want out asylum and transport to some habitable planet. This suggests that 'opting out' is part of what constitutes freedom.
A completely closed system where there is no 'out' is bound to get claustrophobic for some members of the community sooner or later, whether it is a space ship or a communist country with a wall around it or a religious sect with a mental wall around it.
Originally posted by moonbus This issue was raised in a Star Trek episode (I fergit which one now). One of the Federation ships runs into just such a space ship on a generational mission and discovers that some of the people on board want out and are prepared to mutiny to get out. The 'Star Trek' solution of course is to offer those who want out asylum and transport to some habitable p ...[text shortened]... p or a communist country with a wall around it or a religious sect with a mental wall around it.
Originally posted by wolfgang59 I want to get off this planet!!!!
Seriously ... we are all "prisoners" in some way.
The planet really would become too small if any single world-religion or world-government were to get the upper hand and succeed in eliminating all opposition and dissent.