Some Questions (okay, actually a lot of questions)

[Pollux V]

-If humans were to achieve wormhole travel, how is it likely that it would be done? What technology(s) would be needed? How long do you think it will be until we achieve wormhole travel, if it is possible at all? What are the general effects of wormhole travel, on the environment, on the people who go through it, etc. What would a wormhole look like?

-Asteroid fields really have huge distances between them, correct? So if, hypothetically, I were to write a hard-science fiction story, an asteroid chase would seem pretty unrealistic, correct? At least in the traditional star wars sense. Are there asteroid fields that have a closer proximity of asteroids, and would the asteroids have materials that could be mined and sold?
What would be the best environment for a chase-in-space? Are there any good pictures of asteroids online that I could have a look at?

If you could humor me, would you mind conjecturing what the future of space warfare would be like?

Do you think that the language the humans of the distant future would be speaking would hold any similarity to our own?

What do you think that future galactic governments would be like, with or without the wormhole technology or another means of fast intergalactic travel?

Thanks for answering the questions. It's much appreciated.

[AntonK]

Kudos on the Howard Zinn quote in your post. That's my history book.

As for the future. Who knows. Worm holes are only theory right now. If this is related to SciFi writing as I'm assuming it is. You have choices. I read SciFi for 2 reasons. #1 Story...I don't care if it takes place in 2345 or 1902. If the characters and stories are good then it will work. #2 The Sci part. I love good science fiction that deals with the heart of the science. Take for instance the book "Prey" by Michael Crichton. Although far fetched and not truly possible (which can still make for good scifi) it was all based on real science and the science was consistent (unlike Star Trek).

My all time favorite Sci Fi story line is the Babylon 5 storyline. It has awesome stories, characters, plot AND they go into science, talking about PPG (phased plasma guns) to keep from breaking the space station's hull, their ships still use ion engines (better models of what we use now) and the alien races (other than REALLY advanced races) use things we know about like fusion and quantum singularities. They never explain EXACTLY how they work because lets face it, an alien race wouldnt tell us. They also invented a new element which can extend a story GREATLY since the properties of this element are unknown (and make-up-able).

Basically, I would focus on story. Try not to get too many ideas from us. Your story won't flow. We can help "fix" your science if you need help, but focus on the story and science that YOU enjoy. It will read best that way.

-AntonK

PS: If this wasnt for a SciFi book or writing...sorry..im offtiopic.

[Pollux V]

Kudos on the Howard Zinn quote in your post. That's my history book

Gotta love it. Should be mandatory High School reading far as I'm concerned...

Take for instance the book "Prey" by Michael Crichton

Meh. Prey was alright. Jurassic Park and Sphere are the best. You know, I actually was bored one day (imagine) and I googled sciforums, and after awhile I learned that Crichton visited one of the computer forums here to learn more about the stuff he had written in Prey.

Look I have to go. More later.

[fadingCaptain]

-If humans were to achieve wormhole travel, how is it likely that it would be done? What technology(s) would be needed? How long do you think it will be until we achieve wormhole travel, if it is possible at all? What are the general effects of wormhole travel, on the environment, on the people who go through it, etc. What would a wormhole look like?
Sorry not much help here. I think wormholes are little cliched at this point and my advice would be to avoid them. :) As far as technology...there could be exotic matter engines that create wormholes on the fly.

-Asteroid fields really have huge distances between them, correct? So if, hypothetically, I were to write a hard-science fiction story, an asteroid chase would seem pretty unrealistic, correct? At least in the traditional star wars sense. Are there asteroid fields that have a closer proximity of asteroids, and would the asteroids have materials that could be mined and sold?
Star wars sense yes that is unrealistic. I think it is possible asteroids would have valuable minerals and such that could be mined and sold. There would probably be mining stations near asteroid belts that housed ships (probably unmanned) that did the mining.

If you could humor me, would you mind conjecturing what the future of space warfare would be like?
I think it would consist not of space fighters but explosive devices that could destroy planets or trigger supernovae. Warfare would be done at an extremely macro scale where entire solar systems are taken out.

Do you think that the language the humans of the distant future would be speaking would hold any similarity to our own?
No. Language itself will be rendered obsolete. There will be other more efficient means of communication.

What do you think that future galactic governments would be like, with or without the wormhole technology or another means of fast intergalactic travel?
Government might only be a means of enforcing intergalactic law. Such as "Do not blow up other star systems". Anything more would be extremely difficult considering how different the lifeforms would be. In fact, I am not sure you would ever be able to have intergalatic law. Government may not be possible. Imagine how different a life form based on say...silicon would be.

[Pollux V]

I'd be willing to discuss this further, however not for any reason other than to conjecture, I guess. I've abandoned the project. I wrote out the plot, it got too complicated, too big, and I dropped it. However if either of you would like to continue, like I said, I'd be willing to.

[Nova1021]

Well, even though you've given up on the project I'll still answer. :)

Regarding wormholes, I'd say they aren't likely to become useful for travel. If the theories are right, the energy required to open one large enough to send anything large through would be tremendous. Plus, they're kinda cliche. ;)

Asterdoid chase scenes? Your best bet would probably be in a planet's ring system, like Saturn. Or, depending on what you want in the story, you could do it in a developing solar system with lots of debris orbiting and falling onto protoplanets.

Space Warfare: I'd guess there will be much more intimidation, feignting, and other things that are almost conflict, but not. It will be more of a 3d chess game than a massive dogfight, with pieces moving into strategic places to block the movement of enemy pieces. I'd guess that actual battles will be few and far between, and would be waged from great distances with devastating firepower.

Language: New languages will certainly evolve, especially if you have colonists going off to other planets with little contact with home. Depending on the political forces involved when worlds are colonized, the languages might vary. In general, new languages will be most similar to the most widespread language of the time. Think roman empire.

*Galactic* governments? Whew, that's a bit far off... I'd say unless faster than light travel, or communication is developed, there couldn't be a galactic governing body. Assuming such technology is developed, I would expect something like Rome. Possibly an emperor and a senate? I just read "Foundation" by Isaac Asimov; it has a Galactic Empire (whose collapse is the basis for the book's plot). I don't think I've ever heard of a "Galactic Democracy" in any sci-fi. So, if you wanted to be different that might be worth a shot...

Anywho, if you ever get back on the project, hopefully my $.02 will be useful. If not, they were fun questions to answer anyways.

:cool: