Unfortunately experiments in reduced gravity are lacking, but to ignore what little data we do have would be very foolish as well. The fact that we do have data that implies very strongly that gravity plays a very important role in fertilization embryonic development and cell wall implantation.

While there are many URLs that do show the effects of microgravity and the few centrifuge experiments conducted on Mir, the best paper I have read so far was a document that came up on a google search entitled "Reproduction in Space" written by Eran Schenker, MD* and David M. Warmflash M.D.

Doing a google search of that title will bring up that document in the first few hits.

While the science is not yet conclusive on the matters of reduced gravity, it does strongly imply that reduced gravity will be a strong impediment to reproduction, hopefully centripetal acceleration will be an adequate substitute for actual gravity, the fact remains that much more research is needed before a good plan for building a space colonisation ifrastructure is decided upon. The ISS is the best place to conduct this research.

One of the most important facts to come out of these missions is that higher life forms, such as mammals, cannot effectively reproduce in micro gravity. That basically means very large radii spin simulated gravity space colonies will be needed to have self sustaining extraterrestrial human populations in case catastrophe strikes earth. These types of stations and infrastructures will require a large percentage of the Human race working together in a more social manner for the betterment of all mankind. The reduced gravity of the planet mars probably means that it is unsuitable for human reproduction and child rearing,, making any colonies dependent on other sources for manpower. Sorry folks, but there will be no single family homesteading in outer space.

I think the idea of lifting a generator on a kite is absurd, however, the Ladder mill concept, or any other scheme involving a reciprocating airfoil or flight path can be utilized by a generator on the ground to take advantage of variations on the tension of the tether to generate electricity. http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/video/2008/aug/01/electric.kite

I blame the Advertising executives that brought us Atomic Ming the Merciless palace style gas stations in the fifties. The problem is people focusing on what has not come to pass and not focusing on why much of it is a silly idea in the first place.. What distresses me more is what passes for Science Fiction today should be more often called Science Fantasy, in that it predicts a completely impossible future with our current understanding of Science. I believe a prime example would be people dreaming up self sustaining colonies on Mars when recent studies of embryonic development in the microgravity environment appear to show that gravity is a big factor in fetal development.

I was asked to take a personality test at the company I work for and my response was "Why would you want to open yourselves up for possible civil litigation for thinly veiled religious, ethnic, or racial discrimination? Has the Legal department looked at these tests yet?". Test was canceled.

A bigger hammer would make it harder to swing, there may be problems with torque if the swingers feet are not attached to the floor

Does this mean that the Toyota iQ will get the best of all reactions or the worst of all reactions? You really can't blame the car for looking angry, it looks like a tiny Yaris that somebody punched in the face and kicked in the butt. http://www.carbodydesign.com/archive/2007/09/15-toyota-iq-concept/