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1500 questions
33
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20 answers
Could a Universal Translator be used to decipher encryption?
This question:Why would a language be untranslatable by universal (machine) translator? inspired me to consider, if one possessed a universal translator, is it reasonable to consider that it could be used to translated an encrypted message? Of…
Sensii Miller
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What geographic characteristics for a world would be needed/be most beneficial for airships to be a common mode of transportation?
Airships are a hallmark of countless steampunk and dieselpunk constructed universes. Of course, in our world, they were around for a short while. I want to know what effects geographical circumstances had on this.
I feel like one thing that lead to…
artist_designer
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How small could an animal be before it is consciously aware of the effects of quantum mechanics?
The Megaphragma mymaripenne is the smallest animal with eyes, brain, wings, muscles, guts and genitals.
If by some miracle it could be still shrinked, how much smaller could it get before it starts to become largely aware of quantum mechanical…
Just Larry
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33
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How do spaceship-mounted railguns not destroy the ships firing them?
And I'm not talking about the wimpy 32 MJ kind we have in the real world, I'm talking about the superweapon kind. Anyone familiar with Knights of Sidonia and their flagship's Heavy Mass Cannons will know what I'm talking about…
Z.Schroeder
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33
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A monochrome planet
I am asking if a planet with shades of gray only is scientifically possible in our universe. Basically everything on the surface of this planet would seem black and white to the human eye.
Here are some settings of the planet that may work for the…
Gokhan Kurt
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Do different star systems experience time differently?
Somewhat in relation to this question - What could restrain post-singularity societies from spreading across the Galaxy?
I'm assuming not all star systems move at the same velocity in relation to the speed of light...some stars will be moving…
Twelfth
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Anatomically Correct Khajiit
Behold the Khajiit;
Born from the insanely popular game series, Elder Scrolls, the Khajiit are a race of cat people who live in hot jungles. From the moment I saw this race, I fell in love with them, their natural sneak and unarmed attack made me…
TrEs-2b
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How would sentient intelligent, normal-sized mice fight against humans?
Assuming that the world still uses melee weapons like swords and spears, has magic and medievalesque warfare tactics.
They are a race of smart mice (they still look like mice, just that they can use armor, weapons and magic).
And their opponents…
Skye
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How could a human-descended race appear to be all-female?
A group of behaviorally modern humans was cut off from the rest of the earth-like planet. At the time of the separation, humankind had reached a technology level including cattle ranches, brass, writing, and cities. (Same cataclysm, different ark.)…
Damian Yerrick
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Less boring classifications of earth-like terrain when making maps
When creating a map for a fantasy world, I typically add broad top-level descriptions for terrain. Mountains here, forests there, a river, a swamp etc.
Watch any nature documentary, and each terrain type in reality has a huge number of variations…
Neil Slater
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How could a law exist that allows victims to be arrested for the crime against them?
The dwarven legal system is broken. So badly broken that, whether explicitly through legislation or accidentally via a loophoole, it is possible for the victim of a crime to charged, tried and convicted with the crime committed against them, in…
Philip Rowlands
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What kind of effect would a long lifespan have on humanity?
Suppose that, after puberty, human beings aged about 15 times more slowly than in our world. Some would still die young (by their standards) due to diseases, wars, accidents, etc., but it would be commonplace to live to be 1000.
What kind of effect…
dan04
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Can two civilizations on nearby stars develop independently but be at a similar technological level?
One thing that a few science fiction films seem to get wrong: it is extremely unlikely for two civilizations to evolve completely independently and yet be within a few hundred years of each other technologically when they make contact. They are more…
user329
33
votes
8 answers
Anatomically Correct Angels
As part II of anatomically correct myths here we have the Angel. Angels appear in many cultures and are most commonly seen as simply winged humans. Is there a realistic way that angels could evolve? Using earth or near earth biology how close could…
TrEs-2b
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How far in the past could a highly-trained survivalist live?
Related to How far in the past could unprepared humans survive?, but assumes a single survivalist, purpose-trained for his mission. He is to time travel as far back as he can and attempt to survive for an entire year. He is to be presented with…
forest
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