Weekly discussion 22 (8/1-8/8): The most important question of all

Should we build a Death Star? Tenacious D makes a compelling case. Thoughts?

Currently, I don't think mankind is ready for that kind of responsibility.

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Soulchild: u thnk evry thng stupid.
DaCrum: Warbear, why did you suddenly become pretty cool? Stop it.

Mankind? Responsibility?
Please, we can't even invent something without having the tiniest amount of misuse attached.

On a more serious note though, it is a curious question as to whether we are ever prepared to build a weapon as fine and terrible as a Death Star. But before we step into that, for what purpose would it serve?

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Captain of Innuendo Strike Forces & Founder of Innuendo Striking Technique

It would fight evil space squid, stimulate the economy, and secure the future of humanity.

Aren't we already building the Enterprise?

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Who will fund this project though? Tax dollars? Private enterprise? Would we really want to give Warren Buffett a planet destroyer?

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Escape will make me God.

The moment we build it is the moment we destroy earth.

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My realism workshop Updated April 24, 2013: Not the best

Well, we'd probably need most of the resources on Earth to build it, so eh.

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Since it's going to be in space, it would be a lower delta-v to mine asteroids. For a full-size Death Star, we'd need to refine perhaps one percent of the asteroid belt or a big chunk of one of the larger asteroids. There are enough basic resources in the solar system to build the million Death Stars called for with plenty to spare. The bigger problem is that we don't currently have the technology base to built a proper Death Star, like a reactor with a sustained output of three million suns, or a laser that can outshine a galaxy while carrying an energy load with a mass equivalence greater than Ceres. Or the ridiculous materials needed. Or hyperdrive, shields, holonet, etc.

In choosing this topic, I wanted to pursue two basic lines of discussion. First, it's a fun science fantasy what-if scenario. Second, it is a discussion of the merits of a major real-world project to conquer the galaxy. What is there to be gained, and would that merit the launch of a major space project (not necessarily a Death Star, but something huge that would permanently claim space for humanity) with current or near-future technology?

Eh, not really. We first need to establish someone to claim it AGAINST.
On the other hand, preparation is key. Hm.
Still, a tad extreme while all we're facing is ourselves and the elements.


Now, a giant colonizing/terraforming/exploring ship, that could be useful. Or a planet-cracker, that could break open planets, drain all the resources, and build more planet-crackers.

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Well.. as for the insane amount of resources we would need to accomplish this... Please allow me to remind you that nothing is a resource until we know how to use it. Land that contains oil used to be worthless because no one knew you could refine it and transform it into gasoline, etc. The deepest mine is only about 2 miles deep, while the distance from the surface to the core is almost 4000 miles; we've hardly scratched the surface. It's entirely possible that Earth contains enough resources for the job.

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But would strip mining an entire planet be a good idea, I'm sure there's a point where there's only so much structural integrity you could rip out or so much you could pull from the core or mantle before catastrophe.

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CAUTION: Would anyone tell me if I was getting stupider?

Take shit from Pluto, Pluto isn't a planet anymore. ;D

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Tuor: Stuff is our resident, hot mess, alcoholic.
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I was specifically replying to Ruff about using earth, considering it's the only habitable planet in the solar system.

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Plus, I feel like we could use all that material better on Earth anyways.

Maybe we should turn EARTH into the Death Star. A Super Death Star.

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Lol, why would we get rid of all our resources in the first place? That just doesn't make sense.

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Tuor: Stuff is our resident, hot mess, alcoholic.
Senel: Stuff is the patron saint of getting shitfaced. You replaced your organs with an engine that runs solely on alcohol.
RIP Lucky. I love you so much.

before counquering we should work on finding a suitable alternate planet to live on

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or not conquer at all cuz we don't need to :o

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I'm still the Queen of Dicks

We don't even have anything to conquer.

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Soulchild: u thnk evry thng stupid.
DaCrum: Warbear, why did you suddenly become pretty cool? Stop it.

Mining on Pluto would be a total bitch. Much worse than mining in Antarctica. Half the year during Pluto's "winter" the whole goddamn atmosphere freezes out and falls to the ground.


How about we build several enormous engines into the ground with exhaust facing out into space, and turn the Earth into a space vessel? Imagine, sun burning out, growing and getting ready to explode. Planets still orbit obediently. Earth says: "fuck this, I'm out" and flies away on its own, like a boss.

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Because that's the worst problem of mining at pluto.

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let's mine Jupiter

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I'm still the Queen of Dicks

Mine what? There's no solid surface. Only gas, then liquid gas. Best you can do is shove a giant straw into it and slurp it out.

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(I know that, QU)

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I'm still the Queen of Dicks

Weren't you playing the inspired dumb guy and me playing the know-it-all buzzkill guy?

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