In regards to habitable. They didn't say it was perfect.
They could easily make all the basic hand tools, but to produce enough machinery quickly to modern farming would consume many of the resources they would probably be using to do construction of buildings/homes.
You've tilled lots of raw land, rocks and all?
Lack of irrigation system, same as above. Competitive resources.
I was saying that while some people would be constructing buildings and teaching, that the majority, by necessity would be dedicated to farming. Since you don't know what will grow, your going to put everything you can into it (if your smart). Putting a lot of focus on foodstuffs that will store so that if you get great yields you can build stocks.
Since the set was digital/matte anyway I disagree in part with the saving on sets. Even the exterior action shots could have been replaced with other shots on a budget. I believe that it was very purposefully done to show that Chiron is NOT a great place.
The planet gave people hope, but it was not a good choice. They don't have the resources they need to build a civilization easily.
I'm behind on making my DVD's so I haven't heard the podcast yet. They may even talk about it.
My point still drives down to the fact that it is conceivable that life is NOT easy, this is not Eden, and it could take everything just to survive for a few years.
I thought it was a very realistic projection meant to show the struggle and maybe the folly of settling on the planet.[/quote]
Meh. I've tilled enough land to know you could till alot in a year, by hand. But who knows
It's killin time...or at least it will be in November 
