Thje coolest Planets I've ever experienced in Sci-fi are the four worlds from the "The Four Lords of the Diamond" A series of four science fiction novels by author Jack L. Chalker.

"The Warden Diamond is a system of four planets, each very different from the other, ruled by their own lords, collectively called “The Four Lords of the Diamond.” Each planet of the Diamond has its own special “Warden Organism,” a symbiotic microorganism that lives within the inhabitants of the planets. However, the organisms destroy their host when he or she leaves the Warden Diamond, making the planet system the ideal prison colony for the Confederacy, a massive space empire."

The series features four books, each centering on one of the four planets of:
"Lilith: A Snake in the Grass" (Del Rey 1981, ISBN 0-345-29369-X)
"Cerberus: A Wolf in the Fold" (Del Rey 1981, ISBN 0-345-31122-1)
"Charon: A Dragon at the Gate" (Del Rey 1982, ISBN 0-345-29370-3)
"Medusa: A Tiger by the Tail" (Del Rey 1983, ISBN 0-345-29372-X)


These books have repeatedly been in and out of press. I've bought them several times, then lent them out. Some of the most complex and thought out worlds I've experienced in sci-fi reading. Unfortunately, no movies were ever make. However unlikely, I am forever hopeful. ;:)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Four_Lords_of_the_Diamond

People who think saying "nigga" makes them cool should be sent to an off-world prison colony.

>> ^nibiyabi:
^I was unaware of the age limit -- sorry about that. Anyway, I think it's far more punishing (not to mention cost-effective) to let them rot in solitary for the rest of their pathetic lives.


Sorry to be the devil to your advocate again, but I'm not sure I agree with the cost analysis. I suppose there are vaiables like life expectancy and what each state pays per prisoner per year, cost of executions, etc. Right now it looks like death row inmates average about 12 years before being executed, but you would think 12 years plus execution is cheaper than say 50 years.

Too bad we don't have any Australias left to ship them off to. Well, maybe someday California will turn into an island and we can make that a prison colony. Or we can take the George Carlin approach: http://www.videosift.com/video/George-Carlin-on-State-Prison-Farms