NationStates Jolt Archive

Yolanda Reese: "Uh, I'm having trouble with scene 27. It says I'm out of phase, so I can pass my hand through solid matter, or walk through walls."

Director: "Yeah, yeah, cos you're out of phase."

Martin Lloyd: "Um, exactly."

Yolanda Reese: "So, how come I don't fall through the floor?"

Long pause, with Director and Martin staring at each other

Martin Lloyd: "We'll have to get back to you on that."

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

In many Science Fiction movies and TV shows, from Star Trek to StarGate, there is inevitably a point where some character becomes 'out of phase' with the rest of reality, intentionally or otherwise, and becomes intangible to matter on our phase. They can not manipulate objects, solid matter offers no hindrance to their movement, and they are invisible to our eyes and ears. So then why the hell don't they fall through the floor?

In fact, there's more than just that. How can they breathe? The last time I checked oxygen, though a gas, is matter and, since we can utilize it, it must be on our phase. Therefore, how can their bodies utilize it? Why doesn't it simply pass right through their bodies and lungs without any interaction?

And even further, how can they see us? Though always imperceptible by non-phased people and equipment, they can see and hear us without difficulty. If we can't see them because they're phased, whether it's because their phased bodies don't reflect visible light or for some other reason, then shouldn't they be unable to see us, since we're also out of phase with them?

I mean come on, shouldn't a child be able to see these massive plotholes? At least Stargate: SG1 acknowledges this lack of common sense and mocks it, as seen in this posts opening dialogue, but so many more SciFi series don't. Why not?

Meh I am still trying to figure out why phasers make noise or are even visible. :confused:

Meh I am still trying to figure out why phasers make noise or are even visible. :confused:
That's like asking why ships in sci-fi movies always crash and blow up really loud and with really big, fiery explosions.

Actually, POF, recent series have been making the effort to have events in space follow at least some of the basic rules of science, including a lack of noise in vacuum and lasers invisible when there's nothing for the light to show against.

Meh I am still trying to figure out why phasers make noise or are even visible. :confused:

What the hell is a 'phaser' anyway?

A theroetical rapid nadion trans-light beam commonly used in Star Trek.

Nadion? Is that some kind of fundamental testical particle?

Perhaps an ovaric fallopianic device capable of creating trans-pubescent wavelengths?

Oy, do yourself a favor and don't even bother trying to comprehend Star Trek gadgetry and science. To quote a long-forgotten member of NS: "Hi, I'm basic physics, care to rape me in the ass?"

While there are many who claim that Star Trek is the most realistic of all SciFi series (I seriously have no freaking idea where they get this from) it defies the most basic laws of science that we've known for decades, centuries, or even millenia. Hell, I'm surprised that one episode didn't have the Enterprise crew discovering that fire is, in fact, very cold.

It's an amusing show and there are many good times to be had by watching, but in regards to practicality the whole thing is a joke.

EDIT: And yes, I do now see the posts mocking Star Trek science with references to human anatomy

...and in other news.

Someone recently had a patent approved by the US patent office for a continuum distortion propulsion (warp drive) space vessel. Now if they can ever figure out how to create enough energy and how to use it to distort space and actually move something at light speed and beyond without crushing the people inside by the acceleration as well as the intense gravity and of course the lethal radiation. I'm sure the time dilation aspect will comfort those who would've othewise mourned their lost loved ones.

It all comes down to Humanity's greatest failure. The inability to invent silent doors.

...and in other news.

Someone recently had a patent approved by the US patent office for a continuum distortion propulsion (warp drive) space vessel. Now if they can ever figure out how to create enough energy and how to use it to distort space and actually move something at light speed and beyond without crushing the people inside by the acceleration as well as the intense gravity and of course the lethal radiation. I'm sure the time dilation aspect will comfort those who would've othewise mourned their lost loved ones.

That doesn't sound right.

That doesn't sound right.


Beleive it or not it's true.

Nadion? Is that some kind of fundamental testical particle?

:D

Well, just because they received a patent doesn't make it possible. It is simply stated that their design of the product (Whatever that design may be) is legally theirs and theirs alone, it doesn't mean anybody believes it could actually work.

Beleive it or not it's true.

What about the reduction to practice requirement. (You know, the thing that stopped Arthur C. Clarke from patenting the communications satelite, or Einsteint the LASER?).

The only way you could patent a warp drive is if you had a working one.

If that's not the case there has been some mistake/fraud.

I can only assume too, that if indeed this was developed, it would be pulled from the patent registry under national security rules too.

What about the reduction to practice requirement. (You know, the thing that stopped Arthur C. Clarke from patenting the communications satelite, or Einsteint the LASER?).

The only way you could patent a warp drive is if you had a working one.

If that's not the case there has been some mistake/fraud.

I can only assume too, that if indeed this was developed, it would be pulled from the patent registry under national security rules too.

*pulls out his rapid nadion linky of pwnage phasar rifle*

Zap! (http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=/netahtml/search-bool.html&r=3&f=G&l=50&co1=AND&d=ptxt&s1=volfson&OS=volfson&RS=volfson)

Once again, that doesn't mean it actually works.

Once again, that doesn't mean it actually works.

No, it means there is a patent.:D

*pulls out his rapid nadion linky of pwnage phasar rifle*

Zap! (http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=/netahtml/search-bool.html&r=3&f=G&l=50&co1=AND&d=ptxt&s1=volfson&OS=volfson&RS=volfson)

Thank you, that's interesting.

I stand, or rather lie, corrected Sir/Madam [delete as appropriate].

Though I am surprised that it was granted. You usually have to have something that works before you get a patent. Still, can't argue with the linky.

Thank you, that's interesting.

I stand, or rather lie, corrected Sir/Madam [delete as appropriate].

Though I am surprised that it was granted. You usually have to have something that works before you get a patent. Still, can't argue with the linky.

Well I tihnk the principle theory behind it has already been shown to work so maybe that's it... I dunno.

I Am On Fire!!!!!!!!!!!!and It Is So Cold????

It's a bloody sci-fi show, its not meant to make sense. Thats one of the reasons we love it, we dont have to think about the details.