In this 53rd episode of Rabbit Hole of Research, Joe, Nick, and Georgia welcome guest Roland Pitts, author of Salvation Protocol, to discuss the monumental challenge of space arks and colonizing new worlds. Roland, a former army officer now working in cybersecurity, shares insights into his sci-fi thriller where aliens warn Earth of hostile forces, prompting a secret mission to select 1,000 people and 1,000 items to restart civilization on a new planet.
The conversation ranges from the practical, cryo-sleep technology, closed-loop ecosystems, genetic diversity, and propulsion systems, to the philosophical: Who decides who gets to board? How do you preserve culture, prevent class systems, and maintain law and order when resources aren’t scarce? What happens when the descendants of the original crew forget why they left Earth?
The group explores the cargo manifesto challenge, debating essential items from seed banks and medical equipment to cultural artifacts and personal mementos. They discuss the psychological horror of multi-generational travel, the role of AI (can you trust it?) in maintaining mission continuity, and whether humanity can survive the journey without becoming something unrecognizable. Along the way, they pepper in references to Wall-E, The Expanse, Interstellar, and classic generation ship literature, while sharing what they’d personally bring on their own space journey.
Check out Roland’s Book, Salvation Protocol
Check out what the RHR crew is creating
Joe:
Red Line: Chicago Horror Stories Anthology featuring a new story by Joe!
Joe’s Sci-fi physiological thriller Novel: Will You Still Love Me If I Become Someone Else?
Essay by Joe: From Beyond Press: Specific Knowledge: Jotham Austin, II, PhD on Transformations in Fiction
It’s Science for Weirdos
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We want to Hear From You (leave a comment):
If you were selected for a space ark mission, would you go, knowing you’d never return to Earth or see your loved ones again?
What two personal items would you bring with you on the journey? (Roland’s bringing My Chemical Romance, what’s on your playlist?)
If you had to build the crew, what essential profession do you think gets overlooked? How many scientists vs. farmers vs. artists would you take?
Can humanity survive the journey to the stars without destroying itself, or will we become something unrecognizable by the time we arrive?
Drop your thoughts in the comments. We read them all, and your ideas often shape future episodes.
Future Episodes & Events
Episode 54: What’s Love Got to Do With It?
Guest: Joe Compton
A deep dive into the science, psychology, and cultural myths of love. Exploring whether attachment is chemistry, storytelling, evolutionary strategy, or something stranger than fiction.
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