Agent Monkeysee on 7/3/2006 at 03:44
Quote Posted by Tony
Okay, let's assume we survive the next three million years. What if we reach Alpha Centauri and other stars, and find no other planet with hydrogen and oxygen? Eventually we would run out of it. You must remember that our current spacecraft are propelled by oxygen and hydrogen, and that they are hurled into space in order to move the ship forward. And they are none too efficient about it, either.
In 3 million years I'll be confident that we'll have some other means of moving around other than liquid fuel-based rocketry. And even if we didn't the solar system is literally full of hydrogen and oxygen. Hydrogen is like 90% of the entire universe and there's all kinds of water sources out there.
And besides we'll be able to generate our own oxygen and hydrogen using the Trans-Jovian Accellerator. Also we'll be beings of pure energy and mind. Also I'll be dead. Also you'll still be a fruitcake.
Jonesy on 7/3/2006 at 03:48
Quote Posted by Tony
Do you just like being contrary, even when you're wrong?
Let's see. Hydrogen is the most abundant element in the universe, making up 75% of normal matter by mass and over 90% by number of atoms. Oxygen is the second most common on Earth, composing around 46% of the mass of Earth's crust and 28% of the mass of Earth as a whole, and is the third most common element in the universe. The Earth's oceans cover almost three quarters (71%) of the surface of the Earth, in additon to around 60 million square miles of polar ice caps. This, naturally, is made of water, a liquid whose primary composition is, of course, of two hydrogen atoms bonded covalently with oxygen.
So tell me,
genius, at
what fucking point do we run out of hydrogen and oxygen?Printer's Devil on 7/3/2006 at 04:07
Nevermind war in space sonny, we've got plenty of Chinamen to fight right here on Earth, yee-haw!
Seriously, though, manned space travel and exploration is pure boondogglery. Science is best served by robotics in virtually every case. We'd be better off fusing human and scorpion DNA together to create a new species capable of withstanding the insane nuclear religions of tomorrow. Plus, being able to sting your opponent before snipping his hands off would be amazingly cool.
Komag on 7/3/2006 at 04:43
Quote Posted by Printer's Devil
Nevermind war in space sonny, we've got plenty of Chinamen to fight right here on Earth, yee-haw!
Seriously, though, manned space travel and exploration is pure boondogglery. Science is best served by robotics in virtually every case. We'd be better off fusing human and scorpion DNA together to create a new species capable of withstanding the insane nuclear religions of tomorrow. Plus, being able to sting your opponent before snipping his hands off would be amazingly cool.
Best post in this thread by far :cheeky:
Tony on 7/3/2006 at 06:21
Quote Posted by Jonesy
So tell me,
genius, at
what fucking point do we run out of hydrogen and oxygen?You got me on the hydrogen; after all, the Bussard ramjet uses interstellar hydrogen. However oxygen is
not the third most common element in the universe, and most of it is not in a useable form. I'm talking about a useable form of hydrogen and oxygen, not something which we could cook up in a lab but not make readily available after we'd squandered the old stuff after millions of years.
At any rate, Earth is the only planet on which water occurrs naturally. Manufacturing water would be incredible costly, as would importing the oxygen and hydrogen.
I admit partial defeat. But was it necessary to be so insulting, Jonesy? Komag shot down my theory politely (though I still say we're in a recession - just look at the inflation of our currency value).aguywhoplaysthief on 7/3/2006 at 06:37
Quote Posted by Tony
At any rate, Earth is the only planet on which water occurrs naturally.
Thanks Mr. All-Knowing.
Guess we can fire all those researchers who have spent decades trying to answer that very question now!
descenterace on 7/3/2006 at 12:24
Isn't Europa an ice moon? Water-ice, IIRC.
TenTailedCat on 7/3/2006 at 12:38
Yeah I think it is. They're planning to send a probe there to drill down because they think that if there can be primitive life anywhere apart from Earth in the solar system the best bet is in the waters under the ice.
I think there are also water ice-caps on Mars.
Rogue Keeper on 7/3/2006 at 15:23
Narrow-minded individualism is a poison of your rational mind. Embrace The Many and the universe is yours.
TenTailedCat on 7/3/2006 at 16:14
Only if there's cookies.
