If you could travel to space, would you? Why? If you don’t want to, why would you stay on Earth?

yes

Explanation:

I would because I simply long for knowledge that I cannot get on earth. Like if you think about it, what the heck is really out there? Are we really the only intelligent creature out there?

third person

explanation:

note the usage of names and pronouns, "james" & "the old man". this alone can confirm it as third person, as first person uses "i" and the like, while second person uses "you" and the like.

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