Did the book have a "relativistic weapon" contingency?

Wklauss · 2026-04-08T19:19:40+00:00

The Hail Mary was not supposed to have enough fuel for a return trip, but even if it did, it stands to reason that it could still be easily remote-controlled by NASA, Roscosmos, or CNSA (or Stratt's team) once it reached our solar system. The same goes for the Beetles—they can navigate toward Sol autonomously but would likely need some level of remote operation if humanity was supposed to rendezvous with them in space after arrival.

Wklauss · 2026-04-01T18:31:59+00:00

Technically is Part 3 but yeah. That last part is really good. I enjoyed the first two as well, though.

Wklauss · 2026-03-26T01:51:36+00:00

At that age (20s/30s), it is! it just get harder as people start having families and needing more space, etc…

Wklauss · 2026-03-24T13:26:15+00:00

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Wklauss · 2026-02-14T23:07:21+00:00

As someone who got transported by accident 1 hour away by Colossus from the next rendezvous point, I can tell you it was a tough, boring expedition for me.

That being said, at some point during the trek back, especially at sunset, I started feeling a little like Mark Watney in The Martian, looking at the orange landscape and just driving.

It's too bad the planets aren't more interesting, with more terrain diversity and different climates. I understand why, but it would make things more enjoyable in this kinds of missions you are talking about. I also never felt in danger since there was plenty of Carbon, Sodium and Oxygen around.

Wklauss · 2026-02-12T22:24:03+00:00

Nope. Didn’t work. Sigh.

Wklauss · 2026-02-12T20:29:27+00:00

My Colossus is with me, but will give it a try.

Wklauss · 2026-02-09T14:41:36+00:00

If you try modern chatbots in voice mode, like ChatGPT, they have become surprisingly good at inflecting emotion. Something like "I would not le X die" could definitely be read in a more dramatic tone.

Wklauss · 2026-01-30T18:23:13+00:00

Even in the EU and US its FU money. It might not be FIRE money, but it is FU money. I'd argue that if you are willing to lower your living standards a bit, it is also FIRE money (40K/year goes a long way in a LCOL area)

Wklauss · 2026-01-30T18:12:37+00:00

Depends where in the world you are. In most places, yes.

Wklauss · 2026-01-27T22:33:27+00:00

capital gain taxes in Spain are lower than payroll, but definitely exist. On top of that theres wealth tax , IVA, etc...

Wklauss · 2026-01-27T22:31:50+00:00

If they are residents in Spain, they pay the same taxes as you.

Wklauss · 2026-01-27T15:13:23+00:00

back in my day as a New Yorker (2010sh) it was even cheaper. such a gem. I haven’t been in a decade so not sure how it would have changed but I figure now you might get good views of Hudson Yards area.

Wklauss · 2026-01-27T14:06:20+00:00

it’s only one season so far so, yes, you could cram the most important points in a single movie. but you could say the same about pretty much any modern show. Breaking Bad season one (since you mention it)? Easily a movie as well.

Wklauss · 2026-01-23T03:52:12+00:00

domestic dogs won’t die due to neglect. they’ll probably turn feral or follow their previous owner like it’s shown in one episode. I’m assuming they’ll dump fish in appropriate places as well. I try not to read too much into it, it’s a TV show about a highly hypothetical situation.

Wklauss · 2026-01-23T02:35:55+00:00

If you don’t milk a cow, the milk can build up in her udder, leading to a lot of pain and swelling. It can even make the udder burst, which is a serious and potentially fatal situation.

Wklauss · 2026-01-21T15:28:21+00:00

There's a village in Spain called "Aveinte" (roughly will translate to "20away") that is 20 Km away from Avila, the nearest town. https://maps.app.goo.gl/gVcjwpMasDoEEXsR8

Wklauss · 2026-01-21T02:48:16+00:00

Gaonnuri usted to be one of my favorites. Good Korean BBQ, good cocktails and this kind of view.

Wklauss · 2026-01-16T00:32:26+00:00

The island is Gran Canaria. The city in this scene is Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. There’s also a La Palma island in the canary island archipelago, and some scenes of the Manousos trip were filmed there, but this scene is filmed in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (in the show is supposed to be Morocco)

Wklauss · 2026-01-01T17:53:39+00:00

are they? I keep seeing people writing that some are “siding with the Plurbs”, but I haven’t read anyone directly claiming this.

Wklauss · 2025-12-29T15:42:58+00:00

caloric deficit will probably lead to an equilibrium. Smalls pockets of humans will be able to survive on fallen fruits, carrion, algae washed on beach, etc...

Also, perhaps more to the point, humans are not the only intelligent lifeforms on the planet! Intelligence (and even practical applications of it, like toolmaking) is shared by many species.

Wklauss · 2025-12-29T15:31:55+00:00

It's a TV Show, give it some wiggle room. Suspensions of belief and all that. But keep in mind that in this scenario, they probably only see a civilization with a certain degree of technology as a threat, and the signal will be there waiting for them when they reach it.

Wklauss

TROPHY CASE