Comic Discussion > QUESTIONABLE CONTENT
WCDT Strips 2996-3000 (6th to 10th July 2015)
Mr_Rose:
--- Quote from: Storel on 09 Jul 2015, 23:54 ---
--- Quote from: ReindeerFlotilla on 09 Jul 2015, 23:40 ---Or, let's look at it another way. Star Trek predicted flip phones and 3.5 inch diskettes 30 years before they happened in the wider world, (20 to 25 years before they happened). Star Trek predicted transparent aluminum in 1986. 29 year later, it's a thing (beyond synthetic gems). Star Trek introduced the replicator in 1989.
If it was just Star Trek, I'd say you can't take it seriously, but you can now buy desktop 3d printers for under 3000 USD. A quick back of the envelope suggests that in 7 to 9 years, the current level of tech in those printers will cost about 45.50 USD. Odds are, they won't sell them that cheap. Capitalist economy hasn't adapted as fast as the rate of techno change. That's why Apple plans ways to make old hardware useless before it fails (and why I haven't updated my ipod for 2 years). But, in the next decade, expect replicators. Maybe just version 1.0, but replicators.
--- End quote ---
Actually, Star Trek: TOS had food replicators, but (as the name implies) they were only used for food and drinks -- they weren't general-purpose. And the food was considered mediocre, at least according to most of the novels; I can't remember if anyone ever commented on the food quality in the show. So TNG did introduce general-purpose replicators, yes. Interesting that in Star Trek, organic replication came before inorganic, whereas our 3D printers are starting with inorganic.
Oh, and transparent aluminum is a thing now? Cool! I hadn't heard that. What can they do with it?
--- End quote ---
TOS didn't have replicators; they had protein synthesisers that produced "meat" or "potato" or whatever specific blend was deemed to be each comestible then they had automated processors that assembled those into appropriately shaped lumps for delivery to the consumer according to their programmed diet plan in the tapes they put into the food terminals. Think like the entire food universe is nothing but nuggets, be they chicken, beef, potato, or leek.
The replicators assemble digital copies of actual food items that existed once. And the TNG replicators also made all the cutlery from the start so they were well capable of mechanical objects even then.
As for transparent aluminium, it's actually an aluminium based ceramic much like sapphire, but it's certainly close enough for government work.
--- Quote from: Storel on 09 Jul 2015, 23:54 ---
--- Quote from: ReindeerFlotilla on 09 Jul 2015, 23:40 ---Imagine how that's going to change market and demand for skills. While you're imagining that, hope to whatever you believe it that it's Star Trek's replicators and not StarGate's.
--- End quote ---
Sorry, I never watched enough StarGate to know about their replicators. How are theirs worse than Star Trek's?
--- End quote ---
Monomaniacal little robot bugs that consume everything nearby in order to make more of themselves, forever. They were exceedingly dangerous even before they developed true AI and the ability to plan. Then they copied Carter and everything went to hell in a hand basket…
poofdepoof:
--- Quote from: pwhodges on 10 Jul 2015, 05:03 ---The only tattoos I have are alignment marks from when I had radiotherapy 25 years ago. I have no inclination to get any more!
--- End quote ---
https://xkcd.com/933/
poofdepoof:
I enjoyed the thoughts that Emily expressed here, though I did find the way she expressed it somewhat jarring/OOC-ish, as I think many people have expressed above. In any case, QC has had some rocky characterization things before, so I just take the overall gist and cheer the characters on.
Do any of you read Dumbing of Age? I really liked Dina's recent "equivalent outburst," though I thought it was done very naturally and believably:
http://www.dumbingofage.com/2015/comic/book-5/03-the-butterflies-fly-away/safe-2/
http://www.dumbingofage.com/2015/comic/book-5/03-the-butterflies-fly-away/hypotheses/
ReindeerFlotilla:
--- Quote from: Omega Entity on 10 Jul 2015, 07:24 ---Don't forget Elliot!
--- End quote ---
Too late!
Not sure how Elliot fits in. I suspect like Wil tall or more. I did forget about him.
Method of Madness:
Can anyone find the one where he's standing next to Hanners? I wouldn't be surprised if he's a solid 6'4".
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