8,347
edits
Misapplied Phlebotinum: Difference between revisions
→Other
(→Other) |
|||
Line 307:
** The problem is "sufficiently fine control" and the limits of human intelligence and processing power/speed. Without sufficient control, you wouldn't be able to manipulate things that small. And even with it, you have to consider just ''how many'' such things you'd have to manipulate to get any results. Converting just one gram of hydrogen would require you to manipulate 6 x 10^23 protons, individually, not to mention that screwing around with the nuclei would have you constantly fighting the strong and weak nuclear forces so as not to trigger uncontrolled nuclear fission or fusion. So there's a reason you don't see anyone aside from Dr. Manhattan doing something of this sort: because for anyone who doesn't have a brain capable of rendering supercomputers obsolete, it's a futile task.
** You don't even need to go to the molecular level: simply being able of manipulating microcomponents of complex machinery without having to completely disarm or disassemble the device could signify billions saved in maintenance and working time. Not to mention extreme cases, as repairing an airplane mid-air...
** Simply moving things through hermetically sealed box more dextrously than waldos would (and without taking extra space inside like they do) would be quite useful in a few niches.
* A real life example: There exists a chemical which could potentially solve the obesity epidemic in a matter of years if it were widely adopted. The fat substitute [[wikipedia:Olestra|olestra]] can't be processed by the body, but can't be distinguished from it by the senses. In effect it could significantly reduce the caloric content of almost any food it's used in, without compromising the taste, which is one of the serious complaints and hindrances for "diet" and reduced fat foods. Instead it is being used as an industrial lubricant.
** While its not unsafe, it was approved by the FDA but with a warning label that serverely detracted from its appeal. Because it can't be digested by the body it tends to come out the way it went in - as an oil. The idea was abandoned when marketers realized that the potential threat of anal leakage was more of a deterant than the benefit of eliminating fat from your diet. You can read more about it on the other wiki, or on [http://www.cracked.com/article_17412_6-world-changing-inventions-that-didnt-change-shit.html Cracked.com].
** There's also the fact that you can't magically de-fat existing foods very easily just to replace it with fake fat, and that carbohydrates have plenty to do with obesity as well as the body can easily turn them into fat.
** Another point is that people, especially children, need SOME fat in their diet. Overuse of the indigestible fat could have health risks all of its own.
* Mechanically-''un''sound vehicles (whether [[Star Trek|towel-hanger shaped spaceships]] or [[Humongous Mecha|humanoid battle machines]]), by working at all, demonstrate that someone could make things that do the same job ''much better'' simply by choosing a basic shape more efficient for the task at hand. Or ([http://zoo.nightstar.net/viewtopic.php?f=17&t=5555&start=240#p112256 in the words] of Chalain on ''[[Schlock Mercenary]]'' forum):
{{quote|Every inch of arm that deviates from the sphere concept is just one more inch of leverage that incoming rounds can use to rip your arm off.
Are there conditions where a humanoid form is more useful than a tank? Yes, but never in a fair fight. The sphere vs. starfish physics gives the sphere an order of magnitude advantage.
Construction bots make sense.
The other time they would be useful is if you had two full orders of magnitude of technological superiority over the opponent. You could use modern-day tank tech to build a robot that could terrorize 17th-Century England (or 20th Century France), and would essentially be invulnerable to the cannonballs and black powder used against it. The blatant use of poor physical design in a weapon that STILL pounds the enemy to smithereens [[Nothing Can Stop Us Now|would be a fantastic psychological advantage]]. If you already have that advantage, however, you have your choice of dozens of ways to flaunt your military might. If you can build giant killer robots, for example, you should actually be building giant killer robot ''clowns''. }}
{{reflist}}
| |||