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1500 questions
95
votes
17 answers
Are there logical gaps in the periodic table in which you could insert a new mystery element for use as a fuel?
As in the title.
We have the modern periodic table:
In a potential near (or far) future setting humanity discovers a new element which serves as the basis for a cleaner, higher energy density fuel than anything we have today.
How this element is…
James
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95
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37 answers
How to keep humans pilots instead of AI in sci-fi future?
I'm trying to write a 'gundam like' series, though with space fighters instead of humanoid robots. I want a semi-hard science world, I'm okay with making up technology without fully explaining how it works so long as it seems plausible, but I want…
dsollen
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95
votes
30 answers
What could an average modern human achieve in medieval times?
Let's imagine that on one fateful day, John Doe, the absolutely average citizen, wakes up just outside of a small village during the Middle Ages, somewhere in Europe, maybe France or England. Let's assume for simplicity that he knows the modern…
zovits
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94
votes
26 answers
A poison that only works if you know it is there
In the book He Drank and Saw the Spider, a poison is talked about in a metaphorical way: A person can be poisoned by putting a specific kind of spider into their cup, but the poison only works if you drink and then see the spider. If you don't see…
AndyD273
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94
votes
22 answers
My star will explode as a supernova. What can I do in order to ensure that my planet survives that?
I am posting this in behalf of a friend of mine from a distant world. Here is his message properly translated to English:
Hi, Sol3αlings1. My name is $ѬӚᕕƨ⧬௵44ħ$. We are peacefully and we need your help. I am a scientist/engineer from the planet…
Victor Stafusa - BozoNaCadeia
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94
votes
14 answers
Would a submarine make a great spaceship?
I know a submarine would NOT make the greatest spaceship in the universe, but could it allow people inside to live in space?
A submarine can resist pressure, can hold oxygen inside, and there is a heating system... I think radiation would cause some…
Tyrabel
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94
votes
47 answers
Why would "dead languages" be the only languages that spells could be written in?
Note: this is an in-universe explanation, not media in general.
Media in general tends to have magic written in archaic, usually dead, languages. In my world, magic is best described as fickle; most known spells are "iffy" with many having…
Celestial Dragon Emperor
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94
votes
21 answers
How would society react if the existence of a god was scientifically proven?
Let's assume that :
The scientifically proven god is omnipotent and omniscient
The god stays as how it was acting even after the proof, meaning natural disasters still occur, the speed of light is still the way it is, and the sun still rises in the…
Zaenille
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93
votes
16 answers
Effects of "know before you vote" political system
After the Brexit vote, one of repeating themes was: "If only knowledgeable people were allowed to vote and dumb people were not allowed to vote!"
Let's have look at this political system closer:
Assume:
Everyone of legal age is allowed to vote.
All…
Pavel Janicek
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92
votes
23 answers
How do you check if a room behind a door aboard a spaceship has an atmosphere/pressure?
How do you check if a room behind a door aboard a spaceship has an atmosphere and pressure? This is so that you would not accidentally open a door to a room which is open to space.
I imagine there would be some sort of sensor on the door. However,…
rluks
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92
votes
18 answers
Possible distance travelled by horse over 6 weeks?
I always get very annoyed if a writer is sloppy with maps and travel-distances.
E.g. "They left city Y and arrived in city X 5 days later." When you look at the supplied map Y and X are a 1600 kilometers apart. Must have been really special…
Tonny
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91
votes
5 answers
How to stop evil site moderators? ⦋quite firmly closed⦌
Moderator notice: Everything that follows in this question, including the fake notice at the bottom, is an intentional joke. Please don't take it seriously; it's meant in jest.
Imagine internet site. And keep in mind we are in Worldbuilding, so…
Pavel Janicek
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91
votes
17 answers
Would a robot really need to use a heads up display (HUD)?
It's a common staple of science-fiction films (e.g The Terminator or Robocop) to have a POV shot from a robot or cyborg's perspective with a HUD being used to observe its surroundings. This can be hand-waved by the fact this is a convenient way for…
user48508
90
votes
26 answers
What's the most likely "post democracy" form of political government?
Most of our world is now ruled by Representative Democracy. People vote for representatives and those representatives then decide on laws and make executive decisions.
The only certainty in life though is change, and the power structures of…
Tim B
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90
votes
12 answers
Building a phone charger 500 years ago
Imagine a theoretical scenario where I am transported backwards in time 500 years with nothing but a mobile phone containing all of human knowledge. Clearly I want access to this valuable resource but darn I forgot to bring my charger.
Using only…
Bytes
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