Please honestly answer this question?

Question

Okay everyone, for writing purposes I would really appreciate it if everyone thought about this question and answered honestly.
If you were 20 years old, barely out of college, and were recruited to spend eight ten months on a space ship traveling to another planet where you would be part of a five-year long research project would you agree to go if they paid you enough? What would be the first thing you would think? When you got to the other planet what do you think you would feel as the space ship (which is your only way back to Earth for five years) was leaving?
Okay, I realize most of this is either entirely impossible and/or extremely, extremely unlikely. But it is all based off theoretical what if's so please just go along with it rather it makes since of not. Thank you all and when you answer the question please explain why or why not.
Also this is all part of a survey/ writing exercise I'm doing if you were wondering why I would ask such a bizarre question.

Answer 1

At 20, I'm young, somewhat naive (but I don't see it that way, not at all), healthy, unencumbered, and broke. I also don't yet have a fully matured brain, literally, which makes me prone to rash and/or poor decisions.



So I would probably go if the money were good enough and if it seemed every precaution regarding my safety and timely return had been made. My first thought would be that carefully managed, my big paycheck could set me up for a long time--I might start a business, buy a house, live in a garret and write, marry and raise a family, all those things which are easier done with a fat financial cushion.



When I see my transport leaving the planet, stranding me for five years in the Best Case Scenario, I might feel panic, which I'd try to hide, and a determination to make the best of my situation. Once I commit to change and it's out of my power to undo it, I can usually get behind whatever my circumstance is. (I do this often, attending a concert my husband wants to see, or vacationing where I'm not all that interested in going.) I'd find a way to be useful, to enjoy the new experiences, to bond with whoever else is there, and by the five year mark, I'd regret leaving.

Answer 2

This is pretty much the opening premise for Earth Star Voyager, so I don't see the point in beating yourself up over this. Different people are going to respond in different ways, but this isn't terribly far-fetched. If research/colonization/exploration were going to happen on another planet, it is natural that predominantly young people would be chosen/invited/hired. These people would be carefully screened for compatibility with the other people on the journey (when the Mars Mission studies were first done in the late 90's, it was universally agreed that no one wanted a Captain Kirk on board. "Give us two Scottys and two Spocks.") So an across-the-board survey is going to be tricky. As a 20-year-old, I would say yes and panic very little after that, but I also have a personality that is unlikely to fit with the travel needs, so I wouldn't be horribly surprised at being turned down.

Answer 3

5 years of my life? That takes away a long period of time that I could be with my family. By that time I'm already almost 30 and I might have missed career opportunities and chances at love. There's also the risk that something could happen and we may never be able to return, so no I wouldn't do it if I had a choice. OMG, but if I did go, it would be so scary. Looking for life on other planets, just being off of earth itself would be so weird! And if we were like on Mars or something an then the spaceship began to leave without me, I might as well just die right then and there. My heart would literally beat out of my chest. I don't do good being alone, especially with no water or food sources. Scary thoughts 0.0

Answer 4

I might think about going if I was interested in space travel and different planets etc..

If I wasn't, they could pay me a billion dollars and I still wouldn't go.

If I wanted to go and finally stepped off the ship, I'd be scared out of my mind and exhilerated all at the same time. Knowing this was a once in a lifetime experience but feeling totally out of my element and longing for Earth.

Answer 5

I think I would go because I'm not one for family. My family and I don't get along (*issues on my personality and etc.), so that won't be a problem for me. I am also a fan of space and exploration/research and things like. But then I might not go since, I would be leaving my boyfriend for 5 years then turn around and come back and reenter our old lives.



So, in the end, it's a 50/50 chance for I might or might not go.

Answer 6

I wouldn't do it. My family means too much to me. I couldn't do it to them or myself.