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

True, we could look like animals to them. why stop at animal aliens? could there be plant aliens? maybe a bit unrealistic but possible, ever heard of the triffids?

I think that there must be other intelligent life forms in the universe, we don't even know big it is.

As for parallel universes, I’m certain that they exist

I heard you could get to them through black holes.

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Unfortunately, that's not technologically possible for us (yet?)

On the contrary, the means of travelling through Black Holes with primitive Space Shuttles is possible. It doesn't matter what kind of spacecraft you use, but everything that starts must have an end, such as Black Holes. I used the theory in a couple of my sci-fi stories if you'd like to hear about them.

Corporal X

Yes, I would! AFAIK, you *could* take a shuttle into a black hole, but it wouldn't be in one piece for very long, and you'd never come out, because of time dilation - so it's not a useful means of travel.
My son did the best in his class in atomic theory in physics and wrote an article about time dilation for the school maths magazine, which he edited in 2002. (What a Nigel Knowit-all, huh?)

Well, my stories are on the FANFICTION page at www.geocities.com/bohweb (Scroll down to ANDREW NORRIS, some of the later stories are better than the first ones) My theory is that given the right amount of resistance against radiation omitted by Black Holes (EG: Lining spacecraft with several tough layers of exoskeleton) then it may just be possible to keep together in one piece providing the atoms aren't shaken out of balance by the "Spaghettification Theory". I believe that Black Holes could be a link to Paralell Universes, yet we don't know as yet as no-ones ever been down a Black Hole.

Whilst we're on the subject of spacecraft, would I might suggest the name "Titanic II" at this stage?

Corporal X

Titanic II - not really such a crash-hot idea, I think...

Crash-hot?

Corporal X

Crash-hot, is Australian for really, really good, and is usually applied to ideas...

Oh, I see! Sorry, I'm not very up-to-date these days. Titanic II was meant to collect gamma rays omitted from nearby stars by means of a special radiation filter concealed inside the "bow". The gamma rays were passed on into four large Particle Collision Chambers where the rays were bombarded onto plates of Rubidium. The massive power generated went to three places: The afterburners (For motion) Light and Heat Generators (Passengers) and a special protective blister of pure energy to enable passengers to walk on deck without being sucked into the vacuum of space. Any waste products from the Rubidium were ejected into space through the four funnels.

Of course, this is all how I believe it may work, what's your opinion?

Corporal X

No, it sounds good to me, you've obviously planned it out. I was just saying that the name isn't a good idea, especially for the superstitious.

I understand, but it was the best I could come up with on such short notice. I did plan to originally call it "The Great Northern" (As Brunel's previous ships were Great Western, Great Britain & Great Eastern) but I didn't think it sounded good enough. Besides, I'd originally used Titanic II in another Bucky O' Hare story (Check the link, again!) And I had to try and think of a well-known shipwreck that could be changed to a spaceship and have a slightly different storyline. I seriously doubt that NASA or anyone else would be interested in her though. For the moment, shall we just call her "Space Liner Alpha?" In any case, what's the chance of actually getting anywhere in the space-race unless people get politics out of the way?

Corporal X

The only time when the space-race went anywhere fast was during the Cold War. If China was launching missions to Mars I'd think NASA would get a lot more funding.

Ah, so the reference to wrecks was deliberate! Silly me! No, it is a good idea then, and as for the space race having come to a grinding halt - I think Blackberry's right - the idea of rivalry is needed. (Or the Vulcans and Zefram Cochrane, as in Star Trek.)

sad isn't it but I think true, governments only interested when money, power or prestiege are at stake

Sad, yes, but true... especially, in this respect, prestige... As an example of how Americanised New Zealand is, I remember having to phone a radio station which had pronounced a winner for a competition a man who said Sally Ride, 1983, was the first woman in space. The producer of the programme had seemingly never heard of Valentina Tereschkova USSR, 1963. It is all the USA here!

Going back to black holes, a black hole absorbs EVERYTHING nothing can escape, not even light. So, once through(and that's if you can make it through) how on earth would you communicate with Earth to tell them what's on the other side? Any suggestions?

You mean if we sent Della through a black hole.....

Della you are such a hypocirte you moan on and on on threads where its not needed aboput cultural imperialism yet *YOU* willingly and stupidly (considering the way you say you feel about Yankee culture) buy and watch the stuff.

Linkin Park, Star trek, any old soap opera in space like Babylon five dressed up as sci-fi and your there supporting it by watching it and telling anyone who will listen how interesting it is.




<Still looking for the dunce smiley

Blinky, man, you're losing it! Your sole contribution to this discussion has been random and pointless abuse of me. So, please, go and play on the motorway, there's a dear!