The three body problem series was an interesting read. The universe and local physics actually just being the result of whatever dimensional warfare occurred there was a pretty neat idea.
We will never get off the planet in any real way until we can plan over the course of 100+ years or prolong our lifespans so the people that care about space colonization can continue to work on it for long periods.
Freegards
Probably silly to even talk about but it occurred to me as I read those books that in reality a “Generations Ship” captain will feel pretty silly when he arrives at his destination to be greeted by his great, great, great,...great, grandson who arrived thousands of years ago shortly after the “Generation Ship” left thanks to new technology.
I think this is where we are with humanities “next step”. No one wants to be the guy that sent those generations into space needlessly. So the “ONe step for Mankind” was important and what we are undertaking now is important but the real goal is faster than light. That is the barrier that has to be broken and I read just the other day that the mathematicians say it is possible. Something about accelerating the reality around the ship so “locally” it is not breaking the light barrier.
So the gravitational drive in the book may actually be a possibility. Which is what I loved about the books. The author really does a great job of incorporating the latest knowledge.