~or~ Good (Space) Fences Make Good (Planetary) Neighbors Imagine downtown Tokyo and New York City's Times Square connected by a door that bends the rules of physics, at least as we understand them today. People could walk between these cities as easily as crossing the street. Much in both cities would change, and it wouldn't … Continue reading Instantaneous Interstellar Travel & Cultural Meltdown
Technology
About the unique technologies of the Tethered Worlds universe.
AIs and Mankind Part Two: Robots & Romance
~or~ Just Because You Can, Doesn't Mean You Should... "Before the war, before humankind matured to where they are today, we dallied with the artificial creations of our own hands... As you can imagine, it did not end well." A lesson that didn't have to be learned the hard way, and yet was, made an … Continue reading AIs and Mankind Part Two: Robots & Romance
Living With Force Fields
~or~ Whatever you say bounces off of me and back onto you. Force fields have been a science fiction dream since before Gene Roddenberry conceived his "Wagon Train to the Stars" (Star Trek) in the mid 1960s. The ability to stop energy rays comes in handy not only for rogue Klingons or Romulans, but because … Continue reading Living With Force Fields
AIs and Mankind Part One: Combat and the Future
~or~ The machines are not taking over... right? Behold the M5 Computer from Star Trek the original series. It was designed to remotely operate a starship in combat, thus sparing humans from such a dangerous endeavor. What could possibly go wrong? Of course, in the decades since this episode first aired we have seen depicted … Continue reading AIs and Mankind Part One: Combat and the Future
Must Spaceships Have Sonic Showers?
~or~ In the Future, Showers are Still Wet I remember a Star Trek character once referencing a sonic shower. Because, you know, in the FUTURE you cannot use plain old water. Come on, that is positively ancient. But even if you could invent a "sonic shower," would anyone want to use it? Just because you … Continue reading Must Spaceships Have Sonic Showers?
Tethered Worlds 