Thanks to everyone for their great feedback on this thread.

I have sort of looked at the Earthship thing, along with strawbale and similar structures. What I find is that I am not sure I can get the disaster resistance level as high in them as I can in a fugly dome. BTW, I have toured the facility in Texas and gone through the homes. It is amazing how quickly you forget that this thing is round. Nicely done. I recommend it to anyone who can visit them, or go to an open house near you. It may change your perspective.

I will try to visit an Earthship structure and any other alternatives as the opportunity arises. I love to research this stuff and build up my reference library (mental and physical) with this information.

While building a dome is "energy-intensive" (fossil fuel use) and new materials intensive (polyurethane foam insulation, rebar) I am leaning towards it right now.

I may be biased because I have done more research on this option versus any other. I will need to direct my energies into other methods so as to get a balanced view.

Again, thanks a ton for the feedback and opinions.