[efarmer]

Take heart Seagyspy, you sail on the ocean under the power of the wind, it is in and of itself, a glorious physics lesson in which one lives the equations, and every time you bring it back to port, you have passed another exam with flying colors. I would gladly sail with you on a moment's notice, I am however convinced you should avoid piloting interplanetary spaceships on missions to save the earth.
It is my sincere hope, skipper, that this will not diminish my shot at a sailboat ride.

[Newfie]

Gypsy, I have no idea what the hell you are talking about except:

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('', 'B')ottom line is the idea is a silly masquerade; a distraction from real problems with real solutions, HERE ON EARTH; enough to keep us plenty busy for a few million generations.

[Keith_McClary]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('EnergyUnlimited', 'A')t speed of light his mass would grow to infinity (so energy needed to accelerate him to this speed would also be infinite) but marginally below this speed our unlucky astronaut would gravitationally collapse into a black hole or similar alternative object.

[SeaGypsy]

Ancient Vedic principle:

Knowlege of the entire world and workings of the universe;
is nothing, in comparison with knowlege of the self."

[EnergyUnlimited]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Keith_McClary', '')$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('EnergyUnlimited', 'A')t speed of light his mass would grow to infinity (so energy needed to accelerate him to this speed would also be infinite) but marginally below this speed our unlucky astronaut would gravitationally collapse into a black hole or similar alternative object.

[EnergyUnlimited]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('SeaGypsy', '
')I don't think it matters if it's 2 billion of a trillion or a trillion of a quadrillion, the 44 billion entire life of the sun figure has been thrown around. If enough scientists say something, of course it must be true, right?

[SeaGypsy]

I saw a physics program about 18 years ago about forces and dimensions, some of which I understood, perhaps others here are able to enlighten us further?

The scientists were utilising simple apparatus to prove a force exists outside gravitational equilibrium; for some reason which is beyond me, this would prove the existence of a 4th energy plane of existence which in turn would imply a 5th, 6th, 7th and at least 8th or 9th dimension on the energy platform of reality here on earth.

The apparatus was a completely airtight dark box with a bath of water and floating objects being computer monitored for their position in the bath. The objects would be made sure to be absolutely stilll in the center of the vessel then left for days. It was found that bodies of water pull objects towards them if the object is nearby and raised above the water. This contradicts gravitational mass being in favour of rock.

They thought it was a big deal at the time, sorry I haven't a link.

[Newfie]

We could possibly use thread drift to propel us through space.

The main point to the OP was, in my opinion, not that we need to step up space exploration, but that Hawking adds his strong voice to those who think that we have crossed the tipping point.

We each have to decide how to react to that information.

I, like Gypsy, see the ocean as my best bet, but in different ways. Others want land based doomsteads.

If you want to talk physics (metaphorically) then think of the mass of unawareness contained within our species and the trajectory of actions. Then try to predict where that momentum will drive us. Then predict a safe place.

As a wise old Chinaman once said "When SHTF everyone get stinky."

[SeaGypsy]

This may be a tad off the vital topic so will segway, that unlike a doomstead or space shuttle, a yacht may simply ride the elements in a day from a city to a wilderness. It may carry the provisions to sustain inhabitants for many years; likely long enough to get beyond the bottleneck looming.

[EnergyUnlimited]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('SeaGypsy', 'I')t may carry the provisions to sustain inhabitants for many years; likely long enough to get beyond the bottleneck looming.

[jodell8964]

If mankind needs to reach out into space to obtain new resources to keep our economies running, we must do so at minimum expense..(if this is possible)... I bevieve that we are technologically challenged, in that making a round trip to Saturn in under a week, let alone bringing back a days supply of crude oil, is still something only seen in a sci-fi movie. But, purhaps there may be a dim light at the end of the tunnel. There has been scepticism for many years about an alien space ship that crashed near Roswell, New Mexico many years ago, which may be housed at Area 51. If there is any fact to this..why can't engineers examine, learn and understand the alien technology that made this craft operate. After all this alien space ship more than likely came from outside the solar system and how long do you think it took them to get here.

[Newfie]

Engineers built all the shit that got us into this mess. They are the bus drivers, not the navigators.

Come to think of it, who are the navigators?

[jodell8964]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Newfie', 'E')ngineers built all the shit that got us into this mess. They are the bus drivers, not the navigators.

Come to think of it, who are the navigators?

[SeaGypsy]

Water World, like Noah's flood, alien spacecraft on earth etc., is in the realm of pure fantasy.
It will be economics which cause the bottleneck, resource based economics.
Long before AGW has flooded the Himalaya.

[Lore]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('SeaGypsy', 'W')ater World, like Noah's flood, alien spacecraft on earth etc., is in the realm of pure fantasy.
It will be economics which cause the bottleneck, resource based economics.
Long before AGW has flooded the Himalaya.

[SeaGypsy]

Pretty much. So the real question has to be how do I make it through the bottleneck; and how do I help my kin?

Wanking on about seeding space before we completely fark this planet is absurd in the extreme.

[Newfie]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('SeaGypsy', 'P')retty much. So the real question has to be how do I make it through the bottleneck; and how do I help my kin?

Wanking on about seeding space before we completely fark this planet is absurd in the extreme.

[Lore]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('SeaGypsy', 'P')retty much. So the real question has to be how do I make it through the bottleneck; and how do I help my kin?

Wanking on about seeding space before we completely fark this planet is absurd in the extreme.

[SeaGypsy]

Like a gamble on your life effectively; you weigh the odds, variable's, known and unknown knowns then place your bets. There is no more rational solution than a good seaworthy sailboat, well equipped with a well trained crew. To be at home anywhere, to have a foot in both camps, there is just nothing like a good sailing yacht. Not everyone's cuppa tea, but nonetheless, far and away the most logical, closest to perfect solution.

[Sixstrings]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Lore', 'A')s it stands right now, we're never going to get off this planet to live some sort of Trekker utopia on distant worlds. So get that out of your heads. ... It could likely be many generations of humans before anybody comes out on the other side.