All Questions
38,021
questions
3
votes
3
answers
60
views
What can a time traveler use to generate an encryption key to encrypt information so it's only decryptable after a given time period
I have a time traveler basically dropping a few computers with a sort of technological uplift program into the 1980s. These computers have information about future science & technology, along ...
- 33.7k
2
votes
1
answer
37
views
Mars paraterraforming (worldhouse) vs. full terraforming
Ok I had a thought I wasn't sure how to figure it out. If you enclosed Mars in a worldhouse (ie planetary shell) is there enough volatiles (gases) to make a breathable atmosphere for the whole planet ...
- 151
2
votes
1
answer
107
views
Can gigantic boulders resemble mountains given a long enough time?
As a human mage, Mountain Slinger is infamous for one spell: creating boulders thousands of meters big, putting it in a gigantic sling-like mana structure, and hurling it at her target after building ...
- 907
-3
votes
1
answer
50
views
If you had to populate a planet with flora and fauna, what would you bring? [closed]
If you were trying to colonize a planet which was habitable but sterile (Has oceans and oxygen via other lore based means I don't want to get into) then what planets, animals and lifeforms other than ...
1
vote
3
answers
80
views
What could cause a sudden and drastic shift in the position of the Earth's tectonic plates?
Before anyone points out any potential boneheadedness in my question -- I'm not a scientist, just someone with a story device that I want to run with and which I want to investigate the plausibility ...
- 19
-1
votes
1
answer
66
views
Would bloodsucking syringiform creatures need an anticoagulant to feed?
I am brainstorming creatures to use in my 'alien' (I think it will just be a very tiny world on Earth) world project. One I am calling syringiforms for now. As the name implies are creatures that have ...
- 1,451
7
votes
5
answers
1k
views
Can Victorian engineers build spacecraft with an Epstein drive?
During the 18th century, astronomers discovered a variable star whose variability turned out to be a coded message, describing a simple way to build a rocket engine that (somehow) has performance ...
- 461
0
votes
2
answers
76
views
What would happen if there were nine lunar cycles in a year? [closed]
I'm working on an alternative Earth, where (at least) one country would divide the ~365-day year into nine months of approximately 40 days, and I would like the months to be calculated according to ...
- 27
2
votes
2
answers
285
views
Viability of a medieval city without crops
How could a city be viable if the soil surrounding it has become hostile to any kind of crop? What would the options be?
I came up with the idea of establishing settlements around the city, miles away,...
- 33
2
votes
4
answers
135
views
How should I improve my fantasy map? [closed]
This is a map based on one of my old sketches, I would like to know how I should make it seem more realistic. Thanks!
- 39
2
votes
14
answers
2k
views
How can dragons breathe in space?
So, I'm writing about a world consisting of 15+ planets, which revolve around a giant star in the middle of the universe. My question is how I can create a realistic, logical way for dragons to cross ...
- 107
3
votes
6
answers
2k
views
Why would these two populations be genetically compatible?
I am imagining the following situation:
Humanity has to leave earth due to deteriorating conditions. Most decide to leave and settle on two different worlds.
There are practically no differences ...
- 265
2
votes
1
answer
77
views
Kelvin Helmholtz-Effect on a moon
I am continuing my research and work on my scenario which involves several moons surrounding a gas giant.
The satellite in question has 0.6 earth masses, an atmosphere with a decent greenhouse effect ...
- 265
1
vote
5
answers
162
views
Would a 'premature detonating' forcefield-type device be effective against shaped charge warheads?
As I've been thinking over how I might go about implementing forcefields into my setting, I considered the idea that 'early' shield designs might operate differently from the usual ability for shields ...
- 651
6
votes
2
answers
3k
views
Can modern civilization maintain itself under an Earth constantly bombarded with lightning?
I have an Earth unknowingly tainted by a drop of blood shed from a Lightning Deity. The divine blood corrupted the world such that it is always experiencing lightning strikes at an omnipresent scale. ...
- 907