Capricon 43 schedule

Herewith is my official schedule for Capricon 43, to be held February 2-5 at the Grand Sheraton hotel in the River North area of Chicago.

One-way Ticket to Mars

Colorado • Science • Panel • Thu 5:00 PM–6:00 PM

Bringing explorers back from Mars is actually harder than getting them there. What if exploration of Mars is a one-way trip? Can the first permanent colony starts with the first expedition? Would this be a good way to proceed? Would you go if it meant spending the rest of your life settling, terraforming, and exploring Mars?

Why does SF Love Monarchies?

Missouri • Literature • Panel • Thu 6:30 PM–7:30 PM

Many SF stories include an empire as the ruling force in their universe. Why monarchies? Is it a left-over trope from earlier stories, something immediately recognizeable, or something that Americans would instinctively identify as "wrong?" Is it just lazy writing, a comfortable background that doesn't require a lot of explanation? Or do we just like having characters called "Lady" or "Princess?

Reading: Chris Gerrib

Mayfair • Reading • Reading • Fri 10:00 AM–10:25 AM

I read from my latest novel, One of Our Spaceships is Missing.

Governance in a Settled Solar System

Colorado • Science • Panel • Fri 11:30 AM–12:30 PM

As humanity settles the solar system, what sort of government(s) will we see? Will there be a single system-wide government despite the extremely long travel times involved? Will each planet, habitat, or settlement have its own government? What sort of governments will these be? Democracy is not a given and may not even be possible.

Space Colonization without Imperialism

Superior • Fan Interest • Panel • Fri 5:30 PM–6:30 PM

Historically, colonization happens because of national prestige, be it the Glory of the Empire or Manifest Destiny. But is it possible to have space colonization without that? What would it look like? Can you have colonization without a profit motive?

Bankrupt in Space

Missouri • Science • Panel • Sat 10:00 AM–11:00 AM

Our panelists discuss the logistcs of space colonization. Who will pay for it? What happens when the money runs out? What kind of profit motive do you need to make a colony viable?