I first read about this concept in "Time for the Stars" by Robert Heinlein who was, like Isaac Asimov both a scientist in his approach in writing science fiction rather than writing is more in the direction of fantasy. These two authors along with Arthur C. Clark and a few other early Sci-Fi writers brought respect to the craft of writing science fiction by actually using real or theoretical science to expound from. I spent a lot of my childhood from about age 9 to 14 reading all of Heilein and Isaac Asimov and much of all the other sci-fi and fantasy authors of that time like Anne and Todd McCaffrey who wrote
Dragonriders of Pern he Dragonriders of Pern is a series of science fiction stories written primarily by Anne McCaffrey. Beginning 2003 her son Todd McCaffrey has written Pern novels, both solo and jointly with Anne. As of July 2011, the series comprises 22 novels and several short stories, most of which have been collected in two volumes. Some of the novels incorporate previously published shorter works.
There is disagreement whether to classify some of the series as fantasy rather than science fiction and what to classify for children, youth, or adults.[edit] Fantasy or Science Fiction?
While the earlier novels in the series have elements also present in fantasy (low levels of technology, fire-breathing dragons, feudal societies), the prologue explains the events take place on a colony world. The first novel was originally serialized in Analog Science Fiction/Science Fact (1967), and that magazine did not publish fantasy. The publisher (Del Rey) lists them as science fiction titles, and McCaffrey herself describes them as science fiction and stresses the scientific rationales behind the world she has created. In more recent novels, the series moves toward more overt science fiction as the colonists rediscover their links to the past and develop much higher levels of technology. end quote from wikipedia under the heading "Dragon Riders of Pern"Whereas Time for the Stars was written:
Time for the Stars
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Time for the Stars | |
|---|---|
 First Edition cover | |
| Author(s) | Robert A. Heinlein |
| Cover artist | Clifford Geary |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Series | Heinlein juveniles |
| Genre(s) | Science fiction novel |
| Publisher | Scribner's |
| Publication date | 1956 |
| Media type | Print (Hardcover & Paperback) |
| ISBN | NA |
| Preceded by | Tunnel in the Sky |
| Followed by | Citizen of the Galaxy |
Contents[hide] |
[edit] Plot summary
The Long Range Foundation ("LRF") is a non-profit organization that funds expensive, long-term projects for the benefit of mankind that nobody else will touch. It has built a dozen exploratory starships (torchships) to search for habitable planets to colonize. The vessels can only gradually accelerate, and then merely to sub-light speeds, so the voyages will last many years. Therefore, each starship has a much larger than necessary crew to maintain a more stable, long-term shipboard society, as well as provide replacements for the inevitable deaths.It is found that some twins and triplets can communicate with each other telepathically. The process seems to be instantaneous and unweakened by distance, making it the only practical means of communication for ships traveling many light years away from Earth. Before announcing the discovery, the foundation first recruits as many of these people as it can.
Testing shows that teenagers Tom and Pat Bartlett have this talent. Both are eager to sign up. Pat, the dominant twin, manipulates things so that he gets selected as the crewmember, leaving a fuming Tom to stay behind. However, Pat does not really want to leave and his subconscious engineers a convenient accident so that Tom has to take his place at the last minute.
On board, Tom is pleased to find his uncle Steve, a military man, has arranged to get assigned to the same ship. The trip is fraught with problems as trivial as an annoying roommate and as serious as mutiny.
The ship visits several star systems. Due to the nature of relativistic travel (see Twin paradox), the twin who remained behind ages faster and eventually the affinity between them is weakened to the point that they are no longer able to communicate easily. However, some of the spacefaring twins, including the protagonist, are able to connect with the descendants of the Earthbound twins. Tom works with his niece, then his grandniece and finally his great-grandniece.
The last planet scouted proves to be particularly deadly. Unexpectedly intelligent and hostile natives capture and kill a large portion of the remaining crew, including the captain and Tom's uncle. The reserve captain takes charge, but is unable to restore the morale of the devastated survivors. When he insists on continuing the mission rather than returning to Earth, the crew begins to consider mutiny.
Shortly after he notifies Earth of the dire situation, they are surprised to hear a spaceship will rendezvous with them in less than a month and surmise it must be a more advanced LRF spaceship. Scientists on Earth have discovered faster-than-light travel, in part due to research into the nature of telepathy, and are collecting the remaining crews of the LRF torchships. The explorers return to an Earth they no longer recognize, and in most cases, no longer fit in. Tom, however, returns to marry his last telepathic partner, his own great-grandniece, who has been reading his mind since childhood.
[edit] Reception
Galaxy reviewer Floyd C. Gale praised the novel as "an engrossing yarn," saying "The plot twists will take you by surprise and the characterizations delight you."[1]end quote from wikipedia under the heading "Time for the Stars"
So likely this type of real world experiment using telepathic family members hasn't been attempted yet with one relative on earth and another in space. But it will. (Hasn't be attempted from earth in this time line at least most likely)
My personal experience with most forms of ESP is that they only work really well when you absolutely need it to survive a difficult situation or to save lives. This kind of thing cannot be usefully proven in a laboratory without people dying so I don't think it has been done or should be. And even then under those circumstances it might not work for other reasons. ESP I find is a lot like when a 100 pound mother lifts a car off her son who will die if she doesn't. It's sort of beyond most senses of normal but it happens sometimes. Amazing things happen once in a while. But can you prove them in a laboratory? Probably not. And maybe that's a good thing.
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