Tag Archives: ask hentzau

Apr 25 2012
3 Comments
science

Debunk It? I Can’t Even Spell It.

Jiiiiim asks

Hentzau a matter of utmost importance has arisen.

According to gentlemen like http://www.youtube.com/user/gorilla199 we are on course to be hit by the planet Nibiru early in the 21st century. Obviously the freemasons are hushing this up but you are a man of science and so I ask: why do you deny that extra-terrestrials from the Zeta Reticuli star system have warned us about this impending catastrophe? It even has a wiki page if that’ll help. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nibiru_cataclysm

THE TRUTH MUST OUT.

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Apr 20 2012
7 Comments
science

Embalmed Minds.

VivaVirago asks

Dear Dr Hentzau

What are your favourite books about SCIENCE (fiction or non-fiction) that are at least relatively accessible for us poor non-scientists?

This is a handy question because I’ve been meaning to make a post in this kind of vein for quite a while! What’s put me off is that most of what I read (or have read) are textbooks and thus not the sort of thing you can easily buy on Amazon – or if they are, they’re bloody expensive. Now that you’ve asked, though, I cannot help but answer.

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Apr 18 2012
8 Comments
science

If Cats Were Scientists.

Josh asks

 String theory. What the very fuck is it.

I was going to chide you for swearing on this blog, Josh; it’s a family space and a small child could happen by and have their brain infected with that nasty language. Then I remembered that I fucking hate string theory – I truly detest it – and that a sizeable percentage of the next thousand words I write describing it are going to be swear words. On this one occasion, therefore, you are forgiven.

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Apr 11 2012
8 Comments
science

Physics Can Be Such A Drag.

Lu-Tze can’t think of a funny name asks

I want to go to the west coast of America. But like, really really fast. Of all the stupid inventions of science fiction over the years (Gravity Elevators, Teleporters etc.) what’s actually possibly feasible?

None of them. I can’t deal with science fiction on this blog, which is what gravity elevators, teleporters etc. fall within the realm of. They might be possible using crazy future science, but I can’t reasonably predict that. I have to stick to the world of mundane physics, and in this world there are some nasty limiting factors on exactly how quickly you can get about the planet, the major one being atmospheric drag.

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Apr 03 2012
8 Comments
science

It’s About The Future, Because That’s Where We’re Going.

After my pathetic begging last week I got asked several questions; thanks if you did so! I’ll be answering them at the rate of about one per week, so I should have them all done by the end of the month.

Adam Benton asks

I know this is a rather difficult question, and one you’ve probably answered before, but what game/tv/film depiction to you think is one of the most accurate glimpses of the future?

For example, on the one hand we have Mass Effect, which postulates some crazy advanced technology but seems to keep it within the laws of physics (as much as I know). On the other hand we have BSG, which has less crazy technology but does have dogfights in space ships which – as your most recent post suggested – is unlikely to happen.

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Mar 27 2012
14 Comments
science

In The Grim Darkness Of The Far Future There Is Only War.

Innokenti asks

Weapons in space. I imagine Sci-Fi shows lie to us lots about the sort of stuff that might be effective in a space-battle. For example as I understand nukes would only be of minimal use out there in space.

What are the most efficient weapons for space-battles though? (Assuming largely human technology of near-future imagination rather than magic alien energy shields and stuff.)

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Mar 21 2012
2 Comments
gaming

Ask Hentzau: Inter Ludo Enim Silent Physicus.

jiiiiim asks

Which game has made the best use of physics so far? So, not necessarily the most accurate simulation, but the one that made the best addition to gameplay.

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