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General Discussion => The Speakeasy: OOG/Off-topic Discussion => Topic started by: Ken on 16 Oct 2012, 18:49

Title: Alpha Centauri system has an Earth-sized planet
Post by: Ken on 16 Oct 2012, 18:49
http://www.space.com/18089-earth-size-alien-planet-alpha-centauri.html
Title: Re: Alpha Centauri system has an Earth-sized planet
Post by: orange on 16 Oct 2012, 19:25
I know right!   :eek:
Title: Re: Alpha Centauri system has an Earth-sized planet
Post by: Saede Riordan on 16 Oct 2012, 19:44
Cool.

When can we go there?
Title: Re: Alpha Centauri system has an Earth-sized planet
Post by: Graelyn on 16 Oct 2012, 21:30
Well, you'll have to launch a ship with several factions on it first.
Title: Re: Alpha Centauri system has an Earth-sized planet
Post by: Shaalira on 16 Oct 2012, 21:43
Some civilian workers got in among the research patients today, and got so hysterical I felt compelled to have them nerve-stapled.  The consequence, of course, will be another public relations nightmare.  But I was severely shaken by the extent of their revulsion to a project so important to our survival.
Title: Re: Alpha Centauri system has an Earth-sized planet
Post by: Vikarion on 16 Oct 2012, 21:57
I'm planning to launch some network node software. It will be so good that no one will feel the need to offer an alternative product.
Title: Re: Alpha Centauri system has an Earth-sized planet
Post by: Myyona on 17 Oct 2012, 05:24
Some civilian workers got in among the research patients today, and got so hysterical I felt compelled to have them nerve-stapled.  The consequence, of course, will be another public relations nightmare.  But I was severely shaken by the extent of their revulsion to a project so important to our survival.

As part of the pre-order package for XCOM on Steam, I got Civilization 5. Thought it would be great, as I really enjoyed Civilization back in the days (on my Amiga 500+). Sadly, this new version does not seem to be able to catch my interest.

Instead I reinstalled Alpha Centauri and Alien Crossfire (all expansions should be like this one) and found great pleasure in the vastly surperior gameplay and atmosphere.
Title: Re: Alpha Centauri system has an Earth-sized planet
Post by: Seriphyn on 17 Oct 2012, 05:53
If the multipolar world order takes off in the next couple of decades, maybe nations will be interested in space travel again, particularly if it involves competition...if China really takes off with their space program, then the US suddenly might get interested again. And if the EU wants to prove itself as the benchmark of a highly-educated and tech-savvy populace, they might take off too. Then India might get involved...and since the US or EU won't want to be outdone by a country where millions are still beneath the poverty line, they'll step up the game, too.

It's one of the few areas of human competition where the benefits far outweigh the good IMO. A space race is MUCH more preferable to an arms race.
Title: Re: Alpha Centauri system has an Earth-sized planet
Post by: Alain Colcer on 17 Oct 2012, 06:32
A space race is MUCH more preferable to an arms race.

until you start racing on who sends weapons to space first
Title: Re: Alpha Centauri system has an Earth-sized planet
Post by: orange on 17 Oct 2012, 07:54
Seriphyn, the critical assumption you made is that there is not already a second Space Race underway.

Billionaires, many of whom were either young children or not even born, when men first walked on the Moon are funding/backing/running long term projects that create a sustainable human presence in LEO and beyond.

You may not like the idea of space being the domain of corporate, private entities, but that is the way it is going.

In my opinion, Virgle (http://www.google.com/onceuponatime/virgle/) is more likely than a manned international base on the Moon or mission to Mars.
Title: Re: Alpha Centauri system has an Earth-sized planet
Post by: Ken on 17 Oct 2012, 07:58
If the multipolar world order takes off in the next couple of decades, maybe nations will be interested in space travel again, particularly if it involves competition...if China really takes off with their space program, then the US suddenly might get interested again. And if the EU wants to prove itself as the benchmark of a highly-educated and tech-savvy populace, they might take off too. Then India might get involved...and since the US or EU won't want to be outdone by a country where millions are still beneath the poverty line, they'll step up the game, too.

It's one of the few areas of human competition where the benefits far outweigh the good IMO. A space race is MUCH more preferable to an arms race.

Nah...

(http://imageshack.us/a/img824/5207/image1jg.png)
Title: Re: Alpha Centauri system has an Earth-sized planet
Post by: Seriphyn on 17 Oct 2012, 09:23
Oh, well, corporations or governments going into space doesn't matter. As long as humans get up there to begin with!

We can discuss the problems of the corporatization of space when we actually have millions of folks up there :yar:

Also OMG, that Virgle thing. I missed the April Fool's joke...
Title: Re: Alpha Centauri system has an Earth-sized planet
Post by: hellgremlin on 17 Oct 2012, 14:36
So, when do we attack?
Title: Re: Alpha Centauri system has an Earth-sized planet
Post by: Tiberious Thessalonia on 17 Oct 2012, 14:38
Tomorrow.  Suit up!
Title: Re: Alpha Centauri system has an Earth-sized planet
Post by: hellgremlin on 17 Oct 2012, 19:54
Filthy Xenos won't know what hit them!
Title: Re: Alpha Centauri system has an Earth-sized planet
Post by: orange on 17 Oct 2012, 20:54
Also OMG, that Virgle thing. I missed the April Fool's joke...

Quote from: http://www.google.com/onceuponatime/virgle/error.html
oh, all right. Fine. April Fool's. Ha, ha, ha. It isn't real. There. Are you happy? Does it please you to drag us out of our lovely little fantasy world, to crush all our hopes and dreams? Is that really what you need to hear? Fine, you've heard it. Virgle isn't real.

Yet.

Emphasis mine.

Planetary Resources/Investors (http://www.planetaryresources.com/team/) - Eric E. Schmidt & Larry Page (Google).

Richard Branson (http://www.forbes.com/sites/carolpinchefsky/2012/09/19/richard-branson-wants-a-population-on-mars-heres-how-he-can-create-it/) - "In my lifetime, I’m determined to being a part of starting a population on Mars. I think it is absolutely realistic. It will happen.”

These people are demonstrating the will, have to the necessary resources, and are inspiring those with the knowledge to make it all happen.