Assume for a moment we can find a method of converting heat to other energy
without generating more heat. Is this possible? Dunno. Might it be? Possibly.
Perhaps we could bleed <by methods unknown> into jump drive power (stored as
potential energy to drive Jump engines). Perhaps we could
find a way to just bleed it off into some nth dimension or subspace -
neither creating nor destroying energy, just sending it off to another place.
Perhaps I can use some sort of small wormhole to squirt my heat energy out
into faraway space?
We know a lot about the world. We know a little about the stars. Keep in mind
where we were, knowledge wise, 180 years ago (1820). Pretty funny some of the
things they thought would and would not be possible and how.
Now imagine that the rate of increase in human knowledge has increased and is
accelerating. Now project 180 years forward.
I think we just might solve this conundrum. If you were playing FT2020, I'd
have to agree with the thought heat would be the big factor. Even
FT2050. But we're at 2180+. Seems like this problem might have been
licked. Maybe we even got some of Don's German Engineers to solve it? <Though
apparently not all Germans are Engineers... there must be at least one or two
hold outs... *grin*>
And as for Noam's comment about your paint in space not mattering... I
find that ironic coming from Mr. New-Israel-Stealth-Boy. Something tells
me your paint job DOES matter eh Noam?
From: "Tomb" <kaladorn@fox.nstn.ca>
> And as for Noam's comment about your paint in space not mattering... I
There's a difference between "knowing something's out there" and "being able
to localize it enough to take a shot". I was under the impression that
> "Tomb" <Kaladorn@fox.nstn.ca> writes:
This would require a rewriting of the laws of physics. Specifically, it would
require rewriting the second law of thermodynamics. In other words, the idea
you suggest is forbidden by entropy (in a closed system, which the ship is
effectively, short of magitech). Getting rid of entropy would so fundamentally
alter physics that I'm not sure we could reasonably speculate on what the new
physics would look like.
Thermodynamics is also one of the best-supported laws in physics, and
it's unlikely to be overturned (not QUITE impossible, but up there).
> Perhaps we could bleed <by methods unknown> into jump drive power
If the other place is locally disconnected, you have violated conservation of
energy. If energy can come back, you probably haven't, but it's still iffy. I
think that either way you've taken out thermodynamics. The wormhole might work
(assuming you have wormholes) but, in order for that to be the only change,
the heat radiation would be part of the blackbody, or else you'd have to use
massive amounts of power to concentrate the heat into a radiator pointing into
the wormhole.
> We know a lot about the world. We know a little about the stars. Keep
Also keep in mind how many things HAVEN'T changed. Thermodynamics was pretty
much set by that point (IIRC). So was gravity. Newton's laws were
in place. I believe Leibnitz's Work/energy equations were there too.
These have stood up. They aren't entirely correct, but they are still correct
for the domains which they were designed to address (Newton and Einstein don't
disagree except in exceptional conditions, which is why it's taking so long to
fully test relativity).
> I think we just might solve this conundrum. If you were playing
Possibly. But this is one that I definitely wouldn't bet on. Entropy has been
around for a LONG time. So have proposed ways to defeat it (they go back a lot
farther than 1820, IIRC). If there is one law of physics that will NEVER be
broken, I'd have to go with thermodynamics and entropy. Yes, it's possible.
But I think it's distinctly less likely than say causality, relativity
(special or general), or quantum theory (being overturned, that is).
> And as for Noam's comment about your paint in space
Noams stealth does not effect sensors, it directly effects weapons by reducing
the maximum effective range of all the weapons systems by the same
percentage. Result; paint don't matter.
Noam should explain the PSB for those not familiar with the concept.
bye for now,
> At 4:07 PM -0700 8/10/01, John Leary wrote:
How do you not affect sensors and do affect fire control solutions.
Technically aren't fire control solutions first a sensor issue? Be it
with radar, visible/thermal and or some other sort of emf...
Well, which is it young fellar? Ifn we can't see you, we can't rightly shoot
you 'cause you're not visible. But then if we can see you but can't shoot you,
you'd be shootable...
> On Fri, 10 Aug 2001 17:21:43 -0400 "Tomb" <kaladorn@fox.nstn.ca> writes:
<snip>
> We know a lot about the world. We know a little about the stars. Keep
How about even more recently? I am *only 51* but my life doesn't look at all
like those projections on the magazines covers back in my youth
(1950's/1960's) - Personal helicopters/airplanes any one? computer
driven cars on automatic highways (no more merging accidents...)? Yes, that
cuts both ways; some exceeded projecting current trends while most
fell short or went a completely different route; but the point is - we
have no idea where the technology will go (whereas human [i.e., sinful fallen]
nature is a constant. There are no good guys in the GZG worlds...
Gracias,