Flutterby™! : Science Fiction, Science Fact?

Next unread comment / Catchup all unread comments User Account Info | Logout | XML/Pilot/etc versions | Long version (with comments) | Weblog archives | Site Map | | Browse Topics

Science Fiction, Science Fact?

2012-02-23 21:33:21.353389+00 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!

[ related topics: Cool Science Space & Astronomy Writing ]

comments in ascending chronological order (reverse):

#Comment Re: made: 2012-02-23 23:55:41.893074+00 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 03:56:04.026984+00 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 16:14:09.598422+00 by: Larry Burton

I wonder if Muzak will offer them their own custom music track?

#Comment Re: made: 2012-02-24 16:40:11.47256+00 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 20:21:00.07531+00 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: 2012-02-24 23:29:08.694826+00 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.