Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP
Posting-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site ucf-cs.UUCP
Path: utzoo!linus!decvax!duke!ucf-cs!giles
From: giles@ucf-cs.UUCP (Bruce Giles)
Newsgroups: net.sf-lovers
Subject: Re: Speed of light
Message-ID: <1144@ucf-cs.UUCP>
Date: Tue, 10-Jan-84 18:56:44 EST
Article-I.D.: ucf-cs.1144
Posted: Tue Jan 10 18:56:44 1984
Date-Received: Wed, 11-Jan-84 05:35:38 EST
References: <4791@uiucdcs.UUCP>
Organization: University of Central Florida
Lines: 60

1:   Even more to the point with the radiation question -- There should
     be no difference in radiation in comparison with 300 years *ago*,
     3000 years *ago*, etc.  The fact that we are still here tends to
     strongly support the view that we will still be here tomorrow.  (A
     related question was recently discussed on net.math concerning
     the success of the MAD doctrine:  the implication was that since
     we have survived 38 years of mutual possesion of nuclear devices,
     the odds are no greater than 1/38 that we will not survive next
     year, all things being equal.)

2:   The time compression due to gravitation effects can be determined
     using general relativity; however the effects are negligible for most
     reasonable problems.  One thing which is not as negligible, however,
     is orbital precession due to (a) the presence of mass, and (b) the
     rotation of said mass.  In fact, it was due to an *anomoly* in the
     calculated precession of Mercury's orbit that general relativity
     was developed.  It now appears that this anomolous precession can
     be explained by a better model of the structure of the sun, leaving
     very serious questions about general relativity.  BUT -- special
     relativiy is still on extremely firm theoretical ground, and in
     the question of which is `more accurate', I suspect that sr will
     come out ahead. (alas).

3:   If you want to be picky, every single science fiction book which
     uses time-warps, hyperdrive, et nauseam is related to this discussion.
     I may be a personality defect to some individuals on the net, but I
     can not seriously consider any book/story/idea which is not at the
     least possible in my eyes.  As a result, I *loath* lord of the rings,
     etc.

     Some science fiction storys/books/... which would be affected by
     this physics phenomenum are:

     *The Forever War* by J. Haldeman -- uses black holes for
     					 transportation, time compression
     
     *The McAndrew Chronicles* by ?   -- deals heavily with special
					 and general relativity, ECD and QED.

     The Known Space series by Larry Niven --  The most visible example
					 is the calculation (in gr) that 
					 Shaffer's ship will leave the
					 black hole with a sizable spin
					 in *Neutron Star*.


     If it is insisted that this discussion refer to science fiction
     stories, the McAndrew Chronicles alone contain enough material to 
     make this net look like net.physics for a few months (:-}).


Bruce Giles
---------------------------------------------
UUCP:		decvax!ucf-cs!giles
cs-net:		giles@ucf
ARPA:		giles.ucf-cs@Rand-Relay
Snail:		University of Central Florida 
		Dept of Math, POB 26000
		Orlando Fl 32816
---------------------------------------------