Dyson sphere

N'tran DS 12 · Post by **N'tran DS 12** » Wed Apr 16, 2008 5:44 am

Three helium nuclei can fuse into one carbon nucleus... plus energy.

Hydrogen, one proton and one electron, fusing into one neutron is not a favorable reaction. The reverse, a neutron decaying into 1 proton 1 electron and 1 anti neutrino is spontaneous.

Anyhow, a race with the mastery of cold fusion could create carbon...and according to Trek..carbon neutronium, harvesting material from their star.

N'tran

Bryan Moore · Post by **Bryan Moore** » Wed Apr 16, 2008 11:54 pm

But wouldn't anyone who had the power to build one of these not need one?

Post by **Mikey** » Thu Apr 17, 2008 12:27 am

Sure... just like anyone with the money to buy a Bentley doesn't need one.

Post by **Tsukiyumi** » Thu Apr 17, 2008 1:24 am

Mikey wrote:Sure... just like anyone with the money to buy a Bentley doesn't need one.

When I worked as a CSR at *unnamed pizza chain*, people would regularly state that they "needed" a certain pizza. I must admit, it was difficult not to correct them; the fact is, no one needs a pizza, but they were the super-rich clientele, so I did my "thank you for calling *unnamed pizza chain*" song-and-dance.

The words "need" and "want" are NOT INTERCHANGABLE, IMO.

Post by **Mikey** » Thu Apr 17, 2008 1:30 am

Like, "I want a snack" v. "I need a shot and a beer."

Post by **Tsukiyumi** » Thu Apr 17, 2008 1:38 am

Mikey wrote:Like, "I want a snack" v. "I need a shot and a beer."

Exactly. *sips beer*

Post by **Teaos** » Thu Apr 17, 2008 2:17 am

"Cause they can"

I probably the right answer. Its showing off and giving you something to do.

Post by **Tsukiyumi** » Thu Apr 17, 2008 3:06 am

Teaos wrote:"Cause they can"

I probably the right answer. Its showing off and giving you something to do.

Zuh?

I mean, what?

Post by **Teaos** » Thu Apr 17, 2008 3:13 am

Why build something like that when you are obviously insanely powerful?

Because you can.

Post by **Tsukiyumi** » Thu Apr 17, 2008 3:46 am

Ah. Agreed. Maybe the whole thing is a big sports stadium, created for bragging rights.

I only use that analogy because Houston spent well over a billion dollars on stadiums since I've lived here...

mwhittington · Post by **mwhittington** » Thu Apr 17, 2008 3:51 am

I've been to the Astrodome way back when Houston had the Oilers, and they were playing the Cleveland Browns. The Browns won, but we still had a great time.

Post by **Tsukiyumi** » Thu Apr 17, 2008 3:57 am

Since then, they built

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reliant_Stadium

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toyota_Cen ... Houston%29

and,

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minute_Maid_Park

...quite a lot of tax dollars to spend on fun, but ultimately frivolous crap.

Post by **Mikey** » Thu Apr 17, 2008 3:59 am

Especially Minute Maid Park - it's like M. C. Escher designed a baseball stadium.

Citi Field opens next season and it promises to be a proper tribute to Ebbetts Field.

Post by **Tsukiyumi** » Thu Apr 17, 2008 4:06 am

Mikey wrote:Especially Minute Maid Park - it's like M. C. Escher designed a baseball stadium...

Sionnach Glic · Post by **Sionnach Glic** » Thu Apr 17, 2008 4:37 pm

"Cause they can"

I probably the right answer. Its showing off and giving you something to do.

That actualy seems like the best answer. Think about it. Most of the largest modern-day structures don't need to be that big. Some of them have no real purpose at all (Eiffel Tower, for example. Though it's not that large), or have purposes that could easily be done by two or three much smaller facilities that would be much easier and cheaper to build.