Traveling between stars like in science fiction is not possible. According to Jason Pargin, author of John Dies at the End, it’s a fantasy that lacks scientific basis because of the enormous distances involved. Proxima Centauri, the nearest star, is 4.25 light-years away, requiring a massive amount of energy and resources to reach.
Current spacecraft speeds would make even traveling at one-tenth the speed of light impossible due to the risk of nuclear explosions from small debris. Even with immense resources and technology, the journey would take over 80 years. Pargin argues that sci-fi solutions like suspended animation or generation ships are not feasible due to the complexities of human psychology, morality, and socialization.
His main concern is that the idea of interstellar travel as humanity’s purpose has led to unrealistic expectations. The best-case scenario is that humans remain confined to Earth for 1,000 years, making interstellar travel a fantasy. While science can imagine new ideas, it must be grounded in reality.
Source: https://boingboing.net/2026/02/05/the-fantasy-of-starships-is-no-more-realistic-than-magic.html