h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

The twin paradox? I don't think that is a temporal paradox, or even a paradox at all. IIRC it's the one where one twin stays still, the other goes travelling really fast, and they come back together and are different ages. It's not a paradox, it's just physics. When people talk about paradoxes and the same sentance as time travel they usually mean pre-destination or causality (sp?) paradoxes. Like the man who goes back in time and kills his grandfather as a child.

Tango

We-elll,

What is a paradox? Quick flick to dictionary.com reveals that it is (or can be under one meaning) a seeming contradiction or absurdity that is nonetheless true (he paraphrases, hoping to avoid copyright problems).

Twins by definition are the same age, yet the twins in the twin paradox end up years different in age. "A seeming contradiction that is nonetheless true" - or 'A paradox, a paradox, a most ingenious paradox' as G&S might say. And surely it must be temporal since it relates to 'travelling in time' by some definition - albeit only accelerated travel in the positive entropy direction.

And don't say 'Just physics' - there might be lurking physicists around, ready to take umbrage (but take it where, I know not!) Although it does seem that there are more mathemagicians than physicists here on h2g2.

But I was actually cheating - I hoped my first 'research' would be easy as I already know a bit about it - that plus the fact that using for twins rather than, say was supposed to indicate a lot of my 'research' might be conducted in the Time Warp Bar, and associated establishments just a teleport away!

Never mind. Membership is what I would really like, I leave it up to the Chairman/Vice/Assistant/High heid yins to decide what (if any) post would be suitable. Something reporting to the Chief Philosopher perhaps...

rooftiler

<> flashing in
"How about <> for rooftiler.
And as I see how handy you are in tiles, perhaps you can help our <> carving tiles."


And something for Chronos? <>, not much work, as you can always do it tomorrow.

<> flashing out

Hey Mr Chief Philosopher sir,

I like that a lot: Keeper of the Metronome - somewhat rhythmic to tie in with my musical interests... & unofficial assistant tile carver. (I may need to work on my GuideML tiling skills...)

Hurrah!

Thank you, thank you, thank you

Does this mean I'm 'in' and can call myself 'Traveller' and everything?

rooftiler

*wipes granite dust out of eyes. Turns to rooftiler and gives him the hammer and chisel.*

Go and finnish than, and you're in...

---<<>>---

*wipes granite dust out of eyes. Turns to rooftiler and gives him the hammer and chisel.*

Go and finnish that, and you're in...

---<<>>---

Well, now that my computer is doing as it's told and I have made the society a little more astheticaly (dont know how to spell it) pleasing, it seems to be attracting more and more members. I'm going to have to concider opening a special room off the Main Chamber to keep the list, maybe on one of those drop down menues if I can ever get the code to work...

Now Chronos: Basicly it's a case of "what title would you like?". Sometimes I invent positions and get people who want to fill them (Vice Chairman, Winder of the Clocks etc), but it is getting to the stage now where you can ither invent your own title, or join one of the growing groups that are apearing in the society. For example, the Chief (spelt correctly) Philosopher does not have any other philosophers to be chief of; you could join up as an assistant.

In fact it may soon be the case that I stop allowing people to come up with new titles, and they must pick a group within the society to belong to, or remain an ordinary "Traveller", but I dont think we have enough people to start doing that yet so you are still free to make stuff up for yourself.

---<<>>---

<> Flashing in

"Link, Link, Link...
xordin U170725 is the keeper of the Orange Metronome
So keep it from growing an orange."

<> Flashing out

I think that should be possible, to prevent the metronome growing oranges. The problem will be it growing indigoes (always a difficulty with 4-d equipment, I find). I may need to find a Hooloovoo to get further expert advice..

Right, Mr Chairman sir, I'll try to finish it.



but it looks pretty much complete.

<hands wave around with hammer & chisel at high speed. a few specks of dust go flying but otherwise no change>

That's just to justify my second title!

Let me know if there are any others to be engraved - I'll need to do one for myself, once I retrieve the Jade Pagoda. That's where I'll be keeping the Metronome, if that's alright?

<dusts off hands & wanders away whistling happily>

The Jade Pagoda can be found at A1070560. I'll try to engrave the lintel shortly, and I also have plans for a society plaque for each member...

rt

<> Flashing in, his coat unwirls as he come a rest.
"a bit of a multi dimensional port A1071505 take care not to abuse the time converter, it still makes no coffee."

<> Flashing out, his coat remaining visible for an instant as he leaves.

I think i've got it, Traveller Chronos Head Procrastionator

OK, adding that now...

Nephew Who comes in, looks around

"Yea, now we can get it namaged to be done tomorrow, how about the portal?"
Nephew Who is busy tapping on buttons on a console
"This thing realy dont want to make me my coffee."

<> Still Dyslectic and Schizophrenic

I'll make you some coffee tomorrow, and i'll remember to put a thermos of it in my back pack earlier this morning.

*pulls thermos of coffee out of pack, and pours a cup*

get it while its fresh!

Nephew Who drinks his cup of coffee

"Check out A1074151 on what coffee is"

Nephew Who takes another cup out of thin air
<>

Interesting trick

Though I prefer

*a pot of tea appears from thin air*

I do say old chap you do write an interesting article there, though you may perhaps want to look at the GuideML on it.

Anyway, has anyone seen that oak panelled Grand Father clock that used to be over in that corner. I wound it last week but it seems to have gone missing.

Now I can only assume that some one has taken it...

*slips accidently in to the nearest convenient worm hole, and has a two year adventure in the Carribean, before finally making a time machine out of ply wood, bits of copper and some leather boots, and finally returns to his seat looking very dishevelled and bearded... *

What an experience... anyway, where was I. Oh the Grandfather clock. Anyone seen it?

RIght... I'll wire the portole through a door if you gimmee a sec...

Well, I've stuck it in one of the spare rooms. I think we need more people to build propper offices for on the other side of the main chamber.

Nephew Who comes in pushing a wheelbarrow

"Look what I have found, something to dress up?"
He places the box on the floor, a ( A1087986 ) Broom Cupboard.

"Yes, the Winder of the Clocks uses the old one. Give me a hint for the spare drawers, I will link the right places."
As he opens the door, a mouse hides in the back.

"Any one some other furniture left? I still need some decent tables for the restaurant ( A1079822 ). I got these broom cupboards on the TeleTub market."

Nephew Who goes chasing more furniture