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From: @RUTGERS.ARPA:TRUDEL@RU-BLUE.ARPA
Newsgroups: net.sf-lovers
Subject: Silent Running explained
Message-ID: <1155@topaz.ARPA>
Date: Tue, 9-Apr-85 13:23:03 EST
Article-I.D.: topaz.1155
Posted: Tue Apr  9 13:23:03 1985
Date-Received: Wed, 10-Apr-85 06:48:27 EST
Sender: daemon@topaz.ARPA
Organization: Rutgers Univ., New Brunswick, N.J.
Lines: 48

From: Jon Trudel 



>...He
>DESTROYS most of them, just in order to kill off the other crewmen!
>This is ridiculous!

Well, I could go on about this, but I will condense it for my sake.  I made
a similar argument about Dr Heywood Floyd in 2010 when he shouted "Hurry!"
You must realize, as I eventually did, is that people do not react logically
in times of extreme crisis.  Apparently, Dern's state of mind was NOT sound, 
since his "livelyhood" was literally going out the door.  How would
you react of your boss told you you could NEVER use your computer again?
Do you think your resulting reaction would be ridiculous?  Extreme perhaps,
but not ridiculous.  (this is a bad analogy, so no flames about it, please)

>... He heads out, away from the sun, so
>that the plants die off and the stuff in the remaining dome(s?)
>freezes...

I will not debate the ethics of this move, because there are none.  Consider
the 20-whateverth century, when there is only a miniscule smattering of
plants and animals.  Horticulture is virtually non-existant, and there is
only one person who takes care of any plants, Dern. He obviously didn't
remember everything there is to know about the subject, and had no idea
of the consequences of placing the plants far from sunlight.


>Also, there wasn't any reason for Earth to order them destroyed.
>... and the ships could have orbited endlessly at no cost to Earth.

A good answer, but completely wrong.  The ships were cargo vessels that
were orbitting idly.  The decision to destroy the pods was a business move.
It was decided that the ships could be better used for what they were designed,
and that was to carry cargo to Earth colonies, and I remember seeing the logo 
of American Airlines on the side of the ship (Valley Forge?).  As for a reason,
do you think that the shrewd businessman of the 20-whateverth century would tie
up several of his most valuable transport ships by having them hold a 'useless'
cargo that brings no monetary gains?  Not bloody likely!

I still maintain that this is one of the best SF films I have seen, and if you
don't read in my personal preference qualifier there, too bad.  Like
Nyssa of Traken, I too cried at the end. (I was young and gullible once...)

					Jonathan D. Trudel
					Lemon Curry?
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