tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2208890564265615027.post1120395908191840301..comments2024-03-08T19:47:41.485+11:00Comments on Ascii Dreams: Fricken Laser BeamsAndrew Doullhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11099404183952971291noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2208890564265615027.post-49621024487732488772008-07-24T07:14:00.000+10:002008-07-24T07:14:00.000+10:00If you like slow space travel, you would like reve...If you like slow space travel, you would like revelation space series by Alastair Reynolds http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alastair_ReynoldsSoyweiserhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07530201773972687532noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2208890564265615027.post-2917833404046859932008-07-24T02:44:00.000+10:002008-07-24T02:44:00.000+10:00Alas, Halo's plasma weapons don't exactly describe...Alas, Halo's plasma weapons don't exactly describe themselves very well. They supposedly create a magnetic bottle around the generated plasma and propel the resulting bolt fast enough that it can't dissipate, but we can patently see the bolts aren't exactly speedy. Hard science it ain't.<BR/><BR/>(Though I'd point out that a laser ionizing the air still wouldn't be visible. Unless smoke or something similarly refractive was in the path, and that would admittedly make for a really gorgeous effect.)<BR/><BR/>I like my space travel slow too - preferably with some mind-bending relativity effects.<BR/><BR/>Also I have no idea how I came across as so snippy in that first point. It was late, and I think I was very very angry at a JRPG.#87https://www.blogger.com/profile/03982955155007945590noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2208890564265615027.post-72007696550197260372008-07-23T23:57:00.000+10:002008-07-23T23:57:00.000+10:00Ah... but you're assuming I'm coming from the FTL ...Ah... but you're assuming I'm coming from the FTL supporting school of science fiction. I like my space travel slow and leisurely, if you ever get to leave the system at all.<BR/><BR/>(And for the record, you need a laser to ionize a path through the air so that the plasma packets don't discharge prematurely. Sheesh.)<BR/><BR/>But thanks for the heads up. I never really got into the story behind the Halo franchise.Andrew Doullhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11099404183952971291noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2208890564265615027.post-39157594902071724192008-07-23T18:13:00.000+10:002008-07-23T18:13:00.000+10:00The point might have some merit if, you know, they...The point might have some merit if, you know, they were <I>actually laser beams</I>.<BR/><BR/>But they're not; they're packets of plasma. Bizarrely, here, you're picking on one of those rare popular sci-fi franchises which doesn't even <I>call</I> them laser guns.<BR/><BR/>The distance between fantasy and sci-fi is mostly one of authorial voice, really. Hells, if you can make up enough pseudoscience to justify FTL... That's basically a fantasy right there.<BR/><BR/>Also I love your series on magic systems. <3#87https://www.blogger.com/profile/03982955155007945590noreply@blogger.com