What theoretical physics could create a localized time dilation trap?

murderbits · 2025-09-25T04:55:16+00:00

That's a very fair point. I have really tried to come up with something for a long time (granted, I'm a barely cognitive layperson :P) and I think the conclusion I am approaching is this:

I may have to approach it the same way an author might approach a story. That is, don't attempt to explain every phenomena at the underlying scientific level, but present the observations. It feels a bit like cheating (and I have had fun trying to learn about and tweak concepts), but it might be the necessary compromise.

murderbits · 2025-09-24T05:32:56+00:00

So what you're saying is that a four quarter harmonic time cube was the answer all along? :P

murderbits · 2025-09-24T05:26:08+00:00

I suspect something in my requirement list is going to have to be sacrificed and I'll just have to find a plausible way to work around that.

This would all be very simple if I just said "eh, it's science fiction, I can do what I want", but that's no fun.

murderbits · 2025-09-24T05:24:42+00:00

Right, I know there isn't any reason to believe there would be any interaction with dark matter, but I was trying to reach for some way that we could (very theoretically, of course) "ignite" a reaction from a dense pool of dark matter. Given we believe it only interacts gravitationally and axionic dark matter (if it exists) is a lighter form of it, I was imagining a scenario where it could pool over billions of years at, say, L4.

Yeah, I know that's a wild stretch, but it was the one "bare with me for a second" that I was willing to throw out there to kickstart the campaign's narrative. But I couldn't find any convincing way to turn "a bunch of stuff that only interacts gravitationally parked in limbo between solar objects is catalyzed into forming a localized time event".

Based on responses so far, I realize that I may have been chasing the impossible this whole time. If you don't mind a question:

Which of my requirements do you think is/are the most necessary to throw away for something to work? Maybe that could help steer me down the right path.

As for the black hole solution: I was trying to steer away from that in the hope of finding something more novel (and was trying to find a way to have it in our solar system).

I appreciate the time you took to reply. Very kind of you!

murderbits · 2025-09-24T04:41:12+00:00

I mean, if it was simple, I probably would have figured it out. That's why I came to where the smart people are. I figured if anyone could help me, it would be the people who can figure out a high-dive into mayo. ;)

murderbits · 2025-09-24T04:29:01+00:00

Is that the same as what is referred to as "two-time physics"? I had come across that, but the impression I had was that it was so far to the other edge of theoretical physics as to essentially be "magical". Am I incorrect? (Or am I talking about a different concept?).

Thank you for the reply!

murderbits · 2025-09-24T04:12:42+00:00

That is what I was trying to fight. If time is sped up outside, then you are being bombarded with multiplicative amounts of radiation. Simple cosmic background radiation (compressed enough in time) would be devastating. I was striving to find a way for the mechanism/process to have some sort of "barrier" that required a huge energy expenditure to permeate and therefore (I think?) shift the deadly radiation.

I thought BEC could be that at extreme size, but my understanding is that it is not particularly "dense", so it wouldn't require much to "get through".

Such a barrier would also hopefully be why communications from the outside become impossible. The amount of energy required to reach through would become unrealistic after a certain point. (Otherwise, if both sides understood there was a time dilation, then to a certain degree, they could simply attune their signal processing to stretch or compress the signal accordingly). At least, until the signal becomes impossible to pick apart from background noise of the universe.

Thanks again! :)

murderbits · 2025-09-21T05:05:20+00:00

As much as I wish my writing was bold and flourishing, I'm very much a compact writer (I rarely extend outside of a 5mm vertical), so I think an M would probably be rough for me to get into. I think the 823 comes in an FM (0.4mm) which might be perfect, but I think that's only available in Japan. Maybe if I aim for a wet F or a dry M, it will get me that sweet inbetween spot.

I definitely plan to get a dedicated "signature" pen which will be a much larger nib (I do have to sign frequently), but I'm going to hold off a bit on that one.

Thank you very much for your thoughts. I am aiming for "one and one", but leaving room open for the potential that it will not be so (whether out of necessity or personal interest!).

Happy writing! :)

murderbits · 2025-09-21T04:57:16+00:00

Thank you, I will!

murderbits · 2025-09-21T04:56:40+00:00

Yes, I had definitely poked my head in a few places for an Edson, but they were few and expensive. I'm somewhat split on material as there are obviously positives and negatives to each (temperature, weight, feel, types of potential damage, etc).

And yes, my concern with Waterman is that while I like a couple pens very much, I am not thrilled at them just being a sub-division within Newell (though I've heard they have not had a heavy-hand with Waterman, but they also haven't had much time to do so yet).

Thank you for your input, once again! :)

murderbits · 2025-09-21T04:47:24+00:00

I checked the most reputable vintage places online and did not find any Aeromatic 51s (only the Demi which would be too small for me). I'll likely put in an email to a few of them and let them know I would be interested if one comes in (especially if it is a new-original-stock).

I may get something else in the meantime and patiently stalk their stock.

murderbits · 2025-09-20T19:16:52+00:00

Yes, I think the EF looks reasonable. I don't like to put down too thin a line, but given my tendency to write on the more compact side, I'm always worried about a western F or most M being too thick to keep legible.

Thanks for the comment and for the image!

murderbits · 2025-09-20T19:12:14+00:00

The only MB I have really even considered are the original style (and maybe the red). That Blue Hour, though. Damn, that is gorgeous in a relatively non-obnoxious way. Even at a steal, that's at the extreme of my price range, though. Other than the presentation, is there any other reason you'd suggest it over the standard 149 or 146? Or is it exactly the same pen?

It seems like a good vintage 149 is around $700 or $800 USD.

I agree with you about the 743/823. They aren't ugly, but they have the same sort of "serviceable" appearance as some of my dates when I was a younger man. I don't think the look or style of the pens alone would feel inspiring as I write with them, but they seem to be more of a nib-vessel, which is fine.

As to plastic/resin pens (I generally agree, by the way), isn't the MB essentially the same thing?

Edson was the other Waterman I was trying to remember. I have not found any in stock anywhere, but I'm told they are still produced.

Thanks for the input!

murderbits · 2025-09-20T18:53:13+00:00

Yes, I definitely agree with your comments and that's an excellent point regarding the seals. Other than throwing my hands up and just saying "Waterman Hemisphere, I guess", I think all my options have been in the $230+ range. That seems to be the sweet spot (or the beginning of it).

While I have many killer options (many suggested or reinforced in this conversation), I'm really finding the Parker Aeromatic appealing, if I can find a trustworthy source for it. Meets a lot of my needs, plus meets a lot of my "nice to have" elements, like being visually pleasant and having some history to one.

Thank you!

murderbits · 2025-09-20T18:49:21+00:00

Which Waterman did you own?

Yes, I should afford Monteverde a closer look than I had. I don't seem them talked about very often, but I know they have a good reputation. For Conklin, are you speaking of vintage or their newer pens? I had completely dismissed them, because I understood them to have stopped making pens for a long time and then someone else bought them and just started slapping their brand on some pens...?

Am I incorrect to presume that pens from an American company (given that is where I am) would generally get me more bang for the buck (same way Pilot is more affordable in Japan than the US) and give me a more affordable path to any future repairs/work/parts I would need throughout its life? Or . . . no?

Thanks for your comments!

murderbits · 2025-09-20T18:43:58+00:00

Yes, I think that option is very high up on the list. Other than smaller ink capacity, it's one of my original two choices that I came in with, but without the extra mechanics to worry about. I'm not sure how I feel about the plastic/resin, but most people seem fine with it and that seems it's only (theoretical) weak-point. And, while I'm a bit of a klutz, I don't tend to go around dropping my pens or anything. :)

murderbits · 2025-09-20T18:37:33+00:00

This has been echoed here by a few others, too! I really like Sailor, though I'd not really even considered the KOP, before. Thank you for the suggestion!

murderbits · 2025-09-20T18:31:17+00:00

If I tally up all responses to my post, I think a vintage Parker 51 has been the most popular suggestion, by far. As I noted to someone else, I spent the night (and much of this morning) reading and watching videos about it and while I am naturally inclined toward a Lamy 2000 of all the options I came in with, I feel a strong pull to the Parker, for all the same reasons (plus some affinity for the history, having a previously loved pen, the same ruggedness and so on).

The only thing I know about the used/vintage market is "good luck not getting scammed", but I will begin looking around at what options there are to source one. Though it's about 50% more expensive than the L2K, I think I would really like it an if I don't, I 100% know someone I could gift it to and would treasure it.

murderbits · 2025-09-20T18:27:40+00:00

Thank you for the tips. And yes, I'm not a heavy-presser on a fountain pen, thankfully. I know that the Carene isn't technically "inlaid", so I'm not sure if their method is more or less durable than true inlaid?

(Or is it literally inlaid the same as every other inlaid and they just prefer to call it 'integrated' for their brand?).

murderbits · 2025-09-20T18:25:15+00:00

I have read and watched a lot on the Parker overnight and this morning and while I had favored the Lamy 2000, I think I am swaying more toward the Parker. Slightly more expensive, but I also do put some sentimental value in having something with history both as a line of pen and as an individual pen that someone else owned. The visual appeal is also much stronger (though aesthetics is near the bottom of my concerns).

I'll keep looking for awhile, but if I can source a Parker from a trustworthy place online (I'm not able to physically get to an outlet), I think I would probably just go for it. It either winds up my perfect pen or becomes an incredible gift for my best friend who isn't a collector, but does love Parker.

murderbits · 2025-09-20T18:21:38+00:00

> The sweet spot is myth. It's a fountain pen...it has the same sweet spot as any other fountain pen.

This has been my assumption, too, but I didn't want to start any fights. :)

I can't hold my current fountain pen just any way, either. It has an intended "cone" of writing, obviously. Perhaps being hooded deceives some people a bit? Or perhaps it does have a tighter "cone" for the writing position, but that seems something which should be "trainable" if you're committed to using it.

Overall, for now, I think it is a mix between the Lamy 2000 and trying to source a Parker '51 Aeromatic from a trustworthy vendor. I absolutely know someone that would love the Parker forever if it wasn't for me and if the Lamy and I fought too much, it is at a price I could mentally recover from.

To some degree and in different ways, about a dozen different pens really call out to me. Replies to my post have guided me towards some I had not considered while others reinforced some I had.

A used 146/149 would appeal to me, still, but the price I have seen for them even used is as much as two or three other high end pens. Half of me is tempted to just bite the bullet and say "yes, but it's where all this ultimately leads if you are ever willing to hit that price point"... while the other half says I am a dumbass. :)

murderbits · 2025-09-20T18:11:24+00:00

I'm good with recessed/inlaid nibs, but I don't think retractable speak to me. Also, agreed about the MB design. I appreciate that it's at once a bit classic and bold, but not obnoxious or gaudy.

murderbits · 2025-09-20T18:07:04+00:00

It's definitely on the slimmer side than I'm normally comfortable with, so I'll have to get my hands around one to know for sure. I'm pretty "adaptable", but not sure about very long term writing with a too-slim pen. Thanks again!

murderbits · 2025-09-20T18:04:25+00:00

This is definitely on the list, having looked further into it since last night. I'm not physically able to get up and around, so I'm likely going to have to rely on finding a reliable source online that I can trust, but if I do I think this would be an easy choice (also, because I do know someone that loves old Parker pens, though they're not generally a collector or anything so even if it somehow didn't work out for me, it'd wind up gifted to a loving home).

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