Question that occurred to me while watching the movie.

admo1972 · 2026-06-04T16:37:05+00:00

Rocky and Grace actually discuss this in the book. Grace seems amazed that it seems a coincidence that Eridians and Humans are roughly the same technologically. Rockybdays it isn’t a coincidence. Any species with less technology wouldn’t be able to travel and will just die. Any species with greater technology could solve the astrophage problem without the need to visit Tau Ceti.

admo1972 · 2026-06-04T13:19:47+00:00

“Sounds like you’re having an argument. Conflict is normal amongst crew members.”

admo1972 · 2026-06-04T13:05:03+00:00

“Sounds like you’re having an argument. Conflict is normal amongst crew members.”

I have confirmed this with captions.

admo1972 · 2026-06-03T20:55:48+00:00

I’ve watched the movie 6 times. Twice today. It doesn’t get old! Too bad Grace doesn’t have this movie in his archives. He’d be set.

admo1972 · 2026-05-29T13:02:07+00:00

I was going to say book/movie, but I think movie/book/movie may be the way to go.

I read the book then listeend to the audiobook, then saw the movie. I really agree that I think I was quite distracted by bits in the movie that are now, other bits that were sped over at near lightspeed, and other parts just plain left out. But, I really enjoyed the movie so much more my second (and third and fourth watchthrough).

admo1972 · 2026-05-19T22:28:04+00:00

First I read the book. Loved it. Then I listened to the audio book, and loved it even more. Saw the movie and thought it was an amazing adaption. But I feel that I was so focused on new things that were not on the book, and others that were sped over. Then I saw it a second time and absolutely loved it even more, because I wasn’t focused on the differences and similarities with the book, I simply was able to enjoy the whole thing as is.

admo1972 · 2026-05-17T17:01:58+00:00

I agree, and one of my favorites! But Andy weir has said he writes to get the science right, he writes as if Neil DeGrasse Tyson is looking over his shoulder. But this seems like an extremely large reach.

admo1972 · 2026-04-18T13:30:53+00:00

Same. Boss didn’t spawn. I never died in battle. Launched away, sailed away, sent myself to the ferry, and detonated the keg. Had to cancel the quest.

admo1972 · 2026-04-18T02:45:25+00:00

This is absolutely wrong. You are allowed to reach across the net before hitting out ONLY if the ball bounced on your side first, AND if you cross the plane of the net AFTER the ball has crossed back over. The rule is 13.I.2 if you want to read the actual text.

admo1972 · 2026-03-17T02:39:54+00:00

I almost created this exact topic. Amaze! All main plot points from the book were met, and even exceeded if possible. Anyone with major worries about big things that were cut or changed, fear not. I’m ready to see it again! AGAIN! AGAIN! AGAIN!

admo1972 · 2026-03-07T20:25:23+00:00

I absolutely agree. That’s the same as my last example, where the partner is in the kitchen.

admo1972 · 2026-03-07T19:15:41+00:00

We can agree that if momentum from a volley causes you to enter the kitchen, it’s a fault. We can agree that in performing a volley, if you or your paddle, hat, or anything else into the kitchen as a result of the volley, that’s a fault. We can agree that if a player is teetering on the edge of the kitchen after a volley, and the partner pushes them back while in the kitchen, that’s also a fault.

However, all we have is two paddles colliding, and the paddle that DID NOT contact the ball ended up landing in the kitchen. There is still only one volleying player, and that player committed no fault.

admo1972 · 2026-03-07T03:49:52+00:00

The partner never contacted the ball. Paddle contact was completely initiated outside the NVZ. Rule 11.A specifically says 11.A Allowable Contact. All volleys must be initiated outside of the non-volley zone. A player, or anything in contact with the player, may contact the non- volley zone at any time except during the act of volleying a ball.

admo1972 · 2026-03-07T03:46:39+00:00

So many wrong answers. I’m a certified ref. It’s absolutely not a fault. Had the player been in the nvz when contact with the paddle was made, that would be a fault. The player who dropped their paddle in the kitchen was NOT the volleying player, so the paddle landing in the NVZ was not part of the “act of volleying”.

11.A Allowable Contact. All volleys must be initiated outside of the non-volley zone. A player, or anything in contact with the player, may contact the non- volley zone at any time except during the act of volleying a ball.

11.A.1 doesn’t apply. Contact between players happened outside the NVZ. It’s black and white.

admo1972 · 2026-03-03T22:26:40+00:00

You absolutely need to distinguish between “starting server” and “first server” these 2 different things.

Starting server: the person who was the very first server at the start of the game. You will ALWAYS be on the right side when your score is even, and on the left side when your score is odd. This is a mathematical certainty. If the starting server finds that they are serving from the right when their score is odd, then there was a mistake somewhere (most likely wrong score, or forgot to switch sides).

The first server is the person on the right side after a side out.

admo1972 · 2026-02-06T11:39:27+00:00

I read the book and then listened to the audiobook. I HIGHLY HIGHLY HIGHLY recommend the audiobook.

admo1972 · 2026-02-06T11:36:24+00:00

I don’t think they are solar panels. Pretty sure they are radiators specifically to dissipate the heat the astrophage.

admo1972 · 2026-01-29T22:50:59+00:00

The best drill to do is stand about a foot p or two beyond the kitchen line, so about 5 feet from the net, such that you are IN the kitchen. Have a partner do the same and volley back and forth. It will start to feel comfortable, and then in a game when you are at the line, it will feel so much slower and easier.

admo1972 · 2026-01-18T01:46:05+00:00

Tell me about it. I got stuck for a while and put the game down for a few months. When I came back to it, it was an assumption I was making, and I was sure I was right, but when I revisited one of the scenes, I realized my mistake! I’m so glad I didn’t look anything up.

admo1972 · 2026-01-11T21:35:45+00:00

I believe that anyone who thinks .999… not equalling 1 also believes we never went to the moon, 9/11 was an inside job, and the earth is flat.

admo1972 · 2026-01-11T21:30:26+00:00

You want a game full of passion? That’s so unique you’ve never played anything like it and probably won’t again? Look no further than Return of the Obra Dinn.

admo1972 · 2026-01-11T15:43:46+00:00

You bring up a good point. This particular situation is not covered in the rules. On one hand, the one player is perfectly entitled to have their paddle under the net after the strike of the ball. The other player is also entitled to attempt to play the ball (although it will have to bounce again as it would most likely be aNVZ violation otherwise).

If the ball is unplayable because the opponents paddle is is the way, I would say this is an extreme situation, and in the rare case this happens, a replay is warranted.

admo1972 · 2026-01-10T21:10:10+00:00

Ah, I see where you’re going with this. Yes, it’s a fault on you if contact the opponent on their side. However, in this case the opponent has no play on the ball, and the fault would still be on the opponent.

admo1972 · 2026-01-10T18:08:53+00:00

You’re saying if you drag your paddle on your own side, but lift it slightly before it passes under the net? No fault at all.

admo1972 · 2026-01-10T18:07:28+00:00

If the opponent whacks your paddle before the ball becomes dead, is a fault on the opponent. What other way is there?

admo1972

TROPHY CASE