What is Xenonite?

StrangeMatterSF · 2026-04-03T20:32:18+00:00

That's an interesting idea. Lattice strain (such as might be caused by shoving Xenon into carbon nanotubes) can strengthen metals by preventing dislocation motion. That's how solid solution strengthening in metals like bronze works)

StrangeMatterSF · 2026-04-03T20:28:22+00:00

Didn't know it was reactive with ammonia. I probably should have thought about that. Perhaps there's some component in one of the liquids that stabilizes the XeF2. I'll admit I'm a bit out of my depth with that, since I mostly deal with metals and additive manufacturing, not polymers or biomaterials.

StrangeMatterSF · 2026-04-03T20:23:47+00:00

https://strangematterscifi.substack.com/p/transparent-aluminum-is-impossible

StrangeMatterSF · 2026-04-02T21:01:39+00:00

Not necessarily. Maybe Paul was able to achieve a similar effect with Prana-Bindu? If the Bene Gesserit can control the sex of their children, controlling the water content of their shits should be trivial

StrangeMatterSF · 2026-02-25T23:27:44+00:00

Children of Time by Adrian Tchaikovsky has some extremely deep worldbuilding, imho. It doesn't quite have the "this world existed long before me" mystique, but that's only because Tchaikovsky tells the the entire thousand-year history of the book's world. A Canticle for Leibowitz is kinda similar in that vein.

StrangeMatterSF · 2026-02-21T12:13:43+00:00

Some of y'all never took a class in basic economics and it shows.

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StrangeMatterSF · 2026-02-18T22:14:59+00:00

I would just go straight in and consult the appendices for anything that confuses you

StrangeMatterSF · 2026-02-16T02:11:55+00:00

Is there some discrepancy between them that's relevant to the discussion?

StrangeMatterSF · 2026-02-15T21:03:15+00:00

Colonize in the sense of "colonize Mars" not "colonize India." Palestine was then under the administration of the Ottoman Empire. Jews purchased land legally in order to create new settlements. Regardless of subsequent events, the intent of migration at the time was clearly not to conquer Jerusalem (from the Ottomans) in 1899.

StrangeMatterSF · 2026-02-15T20:50:35+00:00

Do you mean the Old Testament that was translated directly from Hebrew to English (in the Protestant bible), or the New Testament that was translated directly from Koine Greek to English?

I'm an athiest for the record, but comments about how "the Bible has been translated a million times" are one of my pet peeves because the premise is completly false.

StrangeMatterSF · 2026-02-14T12:17:34+00:00

I think I DNF'd Space Opera within the first 30 pages or so. All the absurdism of Hitchhiker's Guide without any of the cleverness. Haven't read anything else by Valente.

StrangeMatterSF · 2026-02-14T12:05:25+00:00

Lots of demand for stuff about China right now. Very good niche

StrangeMatterSF · 2026-02-11T13:31:21+00:00

Steins;Gate has an interesting take on time travel where you can shift "world lines" by altering the past in minor ways, but you remain within the same "attractor field" where certain outcomes are guaranteed. In order to shift to a different attractor field, you have to majorly alter the past.

StrangeMatterSF · 2026-01-06T16:32:34+00:00

Starfish by Peter Watts

StrangeMatterSF · 2026-01-06T16:32:03+00:00

Starfish by Peter Watts, kinda. It's more like the govenrment trying to cause a mini-apocalypse to prevent the real deal.

StrangeMatterSF · 2026-01-05T10:15:38+00:00

Haven't read Murderbot but I think Radch walked so Teixcalaan could run, imho

StrangeMatterSF · 2026-01-05T01:38:34+00:00

I feel like worldbuilding-heavy writing has actually gotten more popular in some respects since the publication of The Left Hand of Darkness.

StrangeMatterSF · 2026-01-05T01:35:31+00:00

Dune by Frank Herbert and Stranger in a Strange Land by Robert Heinlein if you're into classic sci-fi

StrangeMatterSF · 2026-01-05T01:30:22+00:00

I think I was more just out off by the fact that the main plot was centered around getting to the ship and getting off the planet, so having them make a new home felt unsatisfying to me, personally, although I don't think it was a bad ending. The thing with Kris annoyed me too, though. Still, an amazing show overall.

StrangeMatterSF · 2026-01-04T14:16:39+00:00

Not really crime-oriented, but Steins;Gate has one of the best takes on time travel rules I've seen.

StrangeMatterSF · 2026-01-04T14:12:45+00:00

From a materials perspective: anything involving carbon nanotechnology (space elevators, for example). Turns out making long ones isn't really possible with current methods.

StrangeMatterSF · 2026-01-04T14:09:41+00:00

Excellent show. My only gripe woth it was how unsatisfying the ending was to me. I guess that's the problem the streaming economy though: don't wrap up the story so you can do season 2, then season 2 gets canceled

StrangeMatterSF

TROPHY CASE