The results of which could cause a chain reaction that would unravel the very fabric of the space time continuum, and destroy the entire universe!
Exactly, some people need to grow up a little bit. It's a message board though, even with grown men it won't happen.
Excellent science fiction there Kilgore. What would the message be? "Klaatu barada nikto"? "Be sure to drink your Ovaltine"? "Can you hear me know?"
You couldn't predict how things would play out if you changed the past. You might know the universe will exist but you wouldn't know what it would be like. Hmmm, then you would only do it if you knew the course your civilization was on was terminal. That any change is a better risk. (were getting a screen play here) So the nerdly handsome neutrino radio scientist with the inexplicably hot girlfriend/research assistant thinks that changing anything is the risk, but, he has to hear the message. So he arranges to be quarantined forever upon hearing the message agreeing to have no future contact with any other human. He hears that message, but he can't get out to tell anyone. Buuuut probably something like the chick can't live without him and covertly communicates. She goes to the authorities, happy ever after.
Hi robbie380 -- sorry, took too much time away from this thread. I don't read a lot of those books. I guess when I get a chance to read something other than physics (at work) I go for fiction or history. One book I really do recommend (old now, but still current) is The End of Physics. I think it's by Lightman, and you can find it used for about nothing. Great review of the 20th century for the non-scientist, but it doesn't spend a lot of time getting weird with multiple dimensions and touchy feely stuff (which I kind of detest, just for me.) http://www.amazon.com/End-Physics-Myth-Unified-Theory/dp/0465019765
Good point -- it is by David Lendley, as per the link I provided. Lightman has written some good books as well. Cheers.
Cool...I'll check it out. I just picked up Penrose's book The Road to Reality. I figure that will keep me occupied for the next 2 years lol. I also picked up a book called The Little Book of String Theory. I figured that would be some good airplane reading since I am traveling to NYC next week. We will see how well things go when I get into Penrose's book, but I am seriously considering taking some physics and math classes again. I have been reading a lot about physics lately, but some of the stuff didn't totally click until I saw some of the equations and math behind things. It was kind of cool when it did click too. Anyhow....thanks for the recommendation!
Fifteen hundred years ago, everybody knew the Earth was the center of the universe. Five hundred years ago, everybody knew the Earth was flat. Three days ago, you knew nothing can travel faster than light. ... Imagine what you'll know tomorrow. ^ name that movie
If you enjoy Penrose's book (a great one, I think) then my suggestion might be too light for you. As for courses, that sounds great. The tough thing about physics is that it's kind of like scientology: they make you go in order until you get to the really cool stuff... but maybe they'll let you sit in wherever you want as long as you're not pursuing a degree of some sort.
