On Tue, Aug 30, 2016 at 04:07:24PM +0000, Phil Pugliese (via tml list) wrote:
>
> I don't see the lack of an 'ag' rating to mean that a system can't
> feed itself.  In fact, I believe the vast majority do just that.  It
> could be argued that 'ag' worlds are something of an anomaly in an
> ultra Hi-Tech setting such as the TU.
>

Good point! I may have become too much of a 'foodie' in my old
age.

Out of curiosity, do you see a clearly defined place where the
line is crossed. E.g. does an xS006xx-t vacuum world have vast
hydroponic gardens, a high tech waste recycling and reclaimation
facility, or does it have a combination of local nutrition supplies
that only works if it also imports a significant fraction of it's food
supply?

I'm assuming that going to space in the Third Imperium is commercial,
not exploratory, venture. So for a large fraction of the workforce on
that vacuum world, eating long term like today's astronauts will be a
economic non-starter. Having said that, there could be other factors
motivating the workforce to say.

-- Chris