I agree.
CT was a basic core sci-fi that was more akin to the 60's/70's in space with some 'tech' thrown in. It was very Asimovian I thought (sans the robots) and more akin to 'higher tech means more force' (IMO).
But, since our understanding of technology and technological proression has increased our acceptance of what 'could be' has also increased.
Each topic alone brings up a tremendous amount of disucssion.
For example -- uplifting animals. You create a sentient species, but; are they animals or are they people? If you're basically an athiest -- i.e. even humans are intelligent animals; then you see uplifted animals as being equal to people. But then, if they are a created species, do they have rights? Are they slaves or intelligent beasts of burden?
If you have religious belief then you have the question, does this creature have a soul or is he of the same plane as being an animal? Does uplifting mean uplifting them in the eyes of God as well?
Now, that tossed into the mix if you add anagathics to the picture you have the concept of perpetual regeneration. Whereas the 'disease' of aging has been defeated. But, the process/drug is expensive. That means that only the wealthy or political elite will have it -- which means that a political system that has perpetual office holders (i.e. monarchy) is one that is quite palatable.
So you have a situation where those in charge don't die from age. But, what about everyone else? Do they have access to the drug or not? If not then you condemn your population (i.e. subjects) to death and misery when the rich and powerful are not subjected to it. I know that revolutions have been started for less.
Now, we add to this, artificial intelligence and robots that have the capacity to be mistaken for people (i.e. simulacrums). If you accept uplifted animals as individual and deserving of rights, do you accept AI as such? At what point do you feel that they are self actualized?
All these make for some interesting discussions.
But why should we bother? We could just ignore them and play a game. The question is, if you want to add these into your game, your 'angle' will be presented based on how you run your game's environment.
The Ursa already bring this to the table. They were uplifted and fought to surive when their creators saw no use for them and attempted to destroy them.
Also, some balance is attempted to be added by placing side effects of the anagathic drugs. But, modern genetic geriatric science feels that it will be possible to 'turn off aging' just by cycling a gene.
These two factors alone make Traveller a much, MUCH, different game than it was back in the CT LBB days.
Just a few thoughts to the mix. I have ideas on Jump gates as well, but that'll be another post.
