Today I had a moment of clarity: an awakening from the 'normal' semi-conscious state , which I tend to favour.
I found myself researching Metal Hydrogen, and wondered - as you do - about the presence of such a rarity (only formed at a ridiculous pressure, such as found on Jupiter).
The point is that it could effectively be a rocket fuel, enabling deep space travel with relatively few problems.
The other excitement at the moment is the EM Drive.
Essentially, in the best romantic traditions, it's the story of the lone inventor, eccentric but dedicated, tinkering with seemingly impossible inventions in the garden shed.
Something I identified with since childhood- although my world was dominated by fictional inventors such as Professor Branestawm, and my personal hands - on abilities are akin to someone grappling with the finer points of cross-stitch , whilst wearing boxing gloves.
And reading the pattern upside down.
In an unknown language.
In this case, however, the inventor is the very real Robert Shawyer, who established Satellite Propulsion Research in 2000 to accomodate his single minded pursuit of an elusive goal.
A drive which uses the very fabric of space itself as propulsion material.
We live in an age of show and tell, where self - proclaimed experts refuse to acknowledge ability unless it is brought forth and waved beneath their collective noses (or at least posted on You Toob).
Understandable up to a point, but then there is the criticism borne of petty jealousy, the 'expert' who will never be satisfied with mere evidence because, well, why would anyone spend so much time being dedicated to an idea which is so empirically wrong?
Unshakable Conviction ?
Blind faith ?
Naivety ?
Until that moment when results indicate that the concept has shifted from 'impossible' to 'improbable'. which is science-speak for 'maybe'.
This has happened to the EM Drive.
To further enhance the mystery, NASA have gone public denying that they are working on 'warp drive' technology.
A nation of Trekkies are distraught.
Yet, wait !
Even here, there is hope - after all , the mooted EM drive is not 'warp' drive technology.
And NASA did not mention the EM drive...
Momentous moments often occur when no-one is really looking.
I found myself researching Metal Hydrogen, and wondered - as you do - about the presence of such a rarity (only formed at a ridiculous pressure, such as found on Jupiter).
The point is that it could effectively be a rocket fuel, enabling deep space travel with relatively few problems.
The other excitement at the moment is the EM Drive.
Essentially, in the best romantic traditions, it's the story of the lone inventor, eccentric but dedicated, tinkering with seemingly impossible inventions in the garden shed.
Something I identified with since childhood- although my world was dominated by fictional inventors such as Professor Branestawm, and my personal hands - on abilities are akin to someone grappling with the finer points of cross-stitch , whilst wearing boxing gloves.
And reading the pattern upside down.
In an unknown language.
In this case, however, the inventor is the very real Robert Shawyer, who established Satellite Propulsion Research in 2000 to accomodate his single minded pursuit of an elusive goal.
A drive which uses the very fabric of space itself as propulsion material.
We live in an age of show and tell, where self - proclaimed experts refuse to acknowledge ability unless it is brought forth and waved beneath their collective noses (or at least posted on You Toob).
Understandable up to a point, but then there is the criticism borne of petty jealousy, the 'expert' who will never be satisfied with mere evidence because, well, why would anyone spend so much time being dedicated to an idea which is so empirically wrong?
Unshakable Conviction ?
Blind faith ?
Naivety ?
Until that moment when results indicate that the concept has shifted from 'impossible' to 'improbable'. which is science-speak for 'maybe'.
This has happened to the EM Drive.
To further enhance the mystery, NASA have gone public denying that they are working on 'warp drive' technology.
A nation of Trekkies are distraught.
Yet, wait !
Even here, there is hope - after all , the mooted EM drive is not 'warp' drive technology.
And NASA did not mention the EM drive...
Momentous moments often occur when no-one is really looking.
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