I just happened to be watching newsnight on BBC. They were talking about the
Yank and Russian use of Dolphins in their respective navies. Apparently these
dolphins are at the stage of being capable of being parachuted in from 3k up!!
What a weapon...
Btw apparently the pentagon was caught breaking into a british
environmentalist groups machines in order to get more info on this. Thats why
it was on. All they need next are flying fish who can carry nukes. Imagine the
economic savings.
Fish in space. Pike thrust anyone?
Shades of Deepquest Spoogy Sea Vehicle 2000 or whatever Voyage to See What's
on the Bottom: the Next Generation was called. Hey! what is the status of
Simians and Cetaceans in the GZG universe....
Commodore Dame KoKo Banana-Bunch KCB, NACC,DSO, USCMH
Maj. Gen'l. Seymour Blow-Hole (Squeak-Ping-Whoosh) (of the New Atlantic
(Squeak-Ping-Whoosh)-es) (ret.)
Whee!
Gene
> ----------
> I just happened to be watching newsnight on BBC. They were talking
I've worked with marine mammals before, but I've NEVER heard of them being
air-dropped.
In fact, I'd have to say I'm VERY suspicious of the validity of this story.
> At 16:10 05/05/98 -0700, you wrote:
It does make one wonder. This was a statement one of the experts (I beleive)
mentioned. How true it is, well I can't say. Sounds very odd. Still I suppose
it could be feasible.
Gawd. Air-dropped cetaceans. There's a joke here somewhere, I just
can't find it yet. If they are that smart, dolphins must think we're
absolutely bonkers.
lets not forget a bad George C. Scott film from the seventies called "Day of
the Dolphin"
or the Don Knotts classic "The Incredible Mister Limpet"
> At 23:51 5/5/98, NVDoyle wrote:
Do they drop bowls of petunias as well?;)
> What's on the Bottom: the Next Generation was called. Hey ! what is
UPLIFTED!:)
David Brin, anyone?
What a great series, just finished The Uplift War.
> Niall Gilsenan <ngilsena@indigo.ie> wrote:
> I just happened to be watching newsnight on BBC. They were talking
I think that was 3k /away/.
(one of the environmentalists suggested that this probably terrified the
'fins, but you never know, they might enjoy it)
> Fish in space. Pike thrust anyone?
Anyone want to run the battle from "Startide Rising"?
Dozens of alien fleets all trying to be the ones to catch a dolphin crewed
ship that's found something they really want.
(someone would have to write a set of unfathomable rules for makeing and
breaking alliances though)
> At 00:58 06/05/98 -0500, you wrote:
Oh No, Not Again.
I remember reading aeons ago that the US Navy were attempting to train
dolphins to spot mines (as long as they weren't playing 'fetch'..) but Dolphin
Paratroopers? Heck, if nothing else it shows innovation isn't dead..
TTFN
Jon
[quoted original message omitted]
> Shades of Deepquest Spoogy Sea Vehicle 2000 or whatever Voyage to See
Ah, you mean Voyage to the Bottom of the Ratings.......
Simians are serving in most known armies, especially in the infantry -
just ask any drill sergeant!
<Homour mode off....>
Jon (GZG)
> ----------
> At 12:58 AM -0500 6/5/98, Jim 'Jiji' Foster wrote:
Only if the intended improbable target was a dormant planet named Magarathea.
just saw the relevent episode of the Hitch Hikers Guide on TV
Cheers
MarkS
All the way from GallifreyÂ
> At 17:54 06/05/98 +1000, you wrote:
Yes indeed, a very fine addition to the series. Still though Startide rising
is my favourite. All those alien war fleets running about and just
one teeny little human/dolphin ship in the middle of it. A very
innovative ending as well.
Taking fish out of water, strapping bombs on them and then dropping them in
water? You think I wouldn't believe it? C'mon! This is the Pentagon folks! Our
schools lack qualified teachers due to spending cuts but flying explosive tuna
projects are nothing new. These are the same folks who spend $8.50 for
individually wrapped wing nuts. <sigh>
Actually, I blame the British for this one! After all the success they had on
the Normandy beaches because they had all the funny tanks (mine clearing
- hey I'm practically back on a GZG topic). Compared to our difficulties
and losses we envied the odd contraptions and I think that mentality has
stuck. Now the Military/Industrial complex doesn't want to be caught in
the next war without their own funny weapons. Imagine the conversations in the
lower levels of the Pentagon...
"General, I have an alarming report. It's about the Indonesians!"
"Give it to me straight major, are they shooting civilians again due to
looting caused by price increases that resulted by the economic bail out
plan?"
"Well, that is going on but that isn't my report. No, sir, this is MUCH more
serious! They have managed to attach sharp pins to SEA KRILL!!!"
"My God that is serious! Have we perfected Blue Whale Mind Control yet! Get me
General Fisher on the line, I need an update on Project Blue Fin!!!"
"Sir, Fisher was killed yesterday aboard the USS Weehawken! A misguided
Dolphin landed on the fore deck killing him instantly!"
"That's a shame, those Dolphins are expensive!"
...
Someone mentioned dolphins for hunting mines; actually, I'm certain the navy
has tested trained cetaceans for planting limpets. Mines, that is.
For a PBS produced video on the US Navy, the former program, and whether they
can put the beasts back in the sea(Navy sez not cost effect):
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/whales/etc/navy.html
Can't find anything about the limpet setting, but I'm sure I saw this
somewhere besides tired TV shows.
No luck on simian military research, either. ;->=
The_Beast
> At 16:09 06/05/98 +0100, you wrote:
I have no idea any longer. I've been spelling it wrong for so long I don't
even realise I'm doing it anymore.
Still you have to admit its better than Pike thrust, non?
> What's on the Bottom: the Next Generation was called. Hey ! what is
I adored Startide Rising, it was the first book of Brin's that I read and I
was hooked immediately. Struggling a little with Sundiver (for those
interested: the previous book to Startide Rising) so took a holiday from it
and read The Uplift War instead.
I'm now in the process of reading The River of Time, a collection of short
stories... and I am floored by the concepts this man comes up with.