Navigating Interstellar Communication and Community

This chapter explores the challenges of communication across vast distances in space, emphasizing the significant lag time that affects conversations on Mars and Alpha Centauri. It discusses the necessity of self-sufficiency and diverse expertise for successful interstellar missions, while humorously comparing the storage of human knowledge to cultural phenomena. Additionally, the chapter examines the genetic considerations essential for the survival and adaptability of human populations during long-duration space travel.