interesting points
The philosophical implications of interstellar travel are difficult issues at best. Heck, given the nastiness of human nature, the philisophical implications of hang-nails are troublesome.
I think Marcia has a great take on it too, though. I've always thought we, as a speicies, could go into the future in one of two ways--from a position of ignorance, of from one of understanding. Better the latter, I expect.