Science Fiction, Science Fact?
2012-02-23 22:33:21.353389+01 by
petronius
6 comments
Two items from the news this week re: Science fiction.... A Japanese company is seriously(?) suggesting that they could build a space elevator to the Clarke Orbit by 2050. It would be 36,000 KM tall, with 30 passenger elevator cars moving upward at 200 KPH, which means a 7.5 day trip. I also visualize the problem of waste disposal, with meteorites of fiery shit raining down on Japan.
The other piece is about Isaac Asimov's spoofing his own degree dissertation with a fake paper about Thiotimoline, the substance that dissolves before you put it in the water. I remember one of his stories from the 60s where the Harvard scientist gets the substance to dissolve, then locks the apparatus up in a safe to prevent the water from being added at the correct future time. Immediately, two Atlantic hurricanes change course and head for Cambridge!
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comments in ascending chronological order (reverse):
#Comment Re: made: 2012-02-24 00:55:41.893074+01 by:
Dan Lyke
Gotta love the Japanese:
"At this moment, we cannot estimate the cost for the project. However, we'll try to make steady progress so that it won't end just up as simply a dream."
#Comment Re: made: 2012-02-24 04:56:04.026984+01 by:
Dan Lyke
[edit history]
http://sensibleerection.com/comment.php/85979/2048307
In case of a space fire, do not use the space elevator. Move to the nearest space
stair and make your way down in an orderly fashion.
#Comment Re: made: 2012-02-24 17:14:09.598422+01 by:
Larry Burton
I wonder if Muzak will offer them their own custom music track?
#Comment Re: made: 2012-02-24 17:40:11.47256+01 by:
Dan Lyke
Whoah! Larry, I made the comment over on your Facebook page without seeing your comment here first. Awesome synchronicity.
I'm thinking they'll repurpose David Bowie.
#Comment Re: made: 2012-02-24 21:21:00.07531+01 by:
Larry Burton
Hmm, maybe I'll work on a playlist. Aerosmith's "Love in an Elevator"; Elton John's "Rocket Man"; yeah a lot of Bowie's Ziggy Stardust stuff. What else?
#Comment Re: made: 2012-02-25 00:29:08.694826+01 by:
Dan Lyke
Obviously the theremin from Star Trek, 2001 means we've gotta toss in some Richard Strauss. Gotta have some They Might Be Giants. Space.com has some good suggestions.
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