Random Questions Thread

@ Sharysa

Thanks

Would I be allowed to use a certain real-life location? Because in a story I'm writing, I'm having the beginning set in Manila, Philippines, where a firefight starts in this place.

is possible for plausible mechas to exist in a alternative history universe?

Tbh you need more "alternate physics" than "alternate history" for mechas.

I assume Applied Phlebotinum (with or without Minovsky Physics) falls under "alternate physics"?

edited 25th Feb '17 5:04:08 PM by MarqFJA

I'd assume it does. Anthropic Principle and all.

Or maybe ewolf's asking how history would change if we had giant mecha?

Yes.

As far as I'm reading the question, they want to know if just random history alterations could result in mecha while maintaining realistic physics and everything else.

the main reason i asked this question was that some one back in another forum claimed it was impossible in my setting (although i was opting for a semi realistic tone.)

@Hallow: Action thrillers do that all the time. Just do the homework.

Meh, just tack on Minovsky Physics and it'll be fine. Not even for why the mecha can support itself, since "muh Square-Cube Law" is a stupid nitpick made by people who cannot suspend their disbelief even a little and needs to die a horrible death (like, getting squished by a Humongous Mecha). I mean, the original Mobile Suit Gundam justified it by nullifying radar and other communication methods, which forces combat to go back into the "visual range" stage of combat, which basically means that it meant jack squat whether you're 50 feet tall or 10 feet; something that helps out Humongous Mecha, considering they're normally easy targets. And considering MS were initially meant to thrive in space (where Square-Cube Law means jack squat) yet also seem to perform pretty well on the ground, it's obvious why MS became the premier weapons of war in the UC. Sorry for rambling, but this kind of feels personal to me.

[QUESTION BLANKED BECAUSE IT WAS A BIT TOO STUPID AND INCOHERENTLY FORMULATED]

edited 27th Feb '17 12:58:43 PM by handlere

Nobody even raises sq/cube against mecha - it's the problem of biological giants.

Main problem with mecha is their high profile getting shot up easier.

Actually, square/cube law does get in the way of mechas if you make them big enough. Structural weaknesses and the very limits of a material build up as you make something bigger, and if that something has legs the size of a 2 story building for example, even if it walks without breaking them it won't do so nimbly.

EDIT: but I am no engineer, so take my words with a grain of salt.

EDIT2: I am so happy to know you want me to die for thinking something you would like to see couldn't or shouldn't be built due to logistical problems. The world really needs more people like you.

edited 27th Feb '17 2:23:52 PM by EternaMemoria

Yeah, square cube issues apply to mechas.

now your making reconsider everything.

Oooh. Ooooh. I'm sorry. No, really. I didn't mean it like THAT: it's just that I've got a chip in my shoulder about random trolls (not including any people here of course, of course) just going "muh Square-Cube Law" and "muh high-profile target" when mecha are brought up. It's obvious that, when there are mecha, they are just there for Rule of Cool, else tanks would do their job better. Also, I would've also assumed that the logistic issues were solved by the time Humongous Mecha were done.

I would blank it out, except that would just cause me to look like I said something super racist instead of just super dumb. Again, sorry.

edited 27th Feb '17 11:16:55 PM by handlere

I'd say it really depends on how hard you want the science to be. A realistic mecha would be either a power armour or some kind of bipedal tank (3 to 4 metres high top), and even then in that last case it would be really justifiable through Rule of Cool. Taller mechas are already throwing any semblance at realism through the window, so I don't see why any scientific law should be applied here, unless it is needed by the story.

Regarding the science hardness, do note that exotic matter is a thing considered seriously by scientists. You could pull a Mass Effect and introduce one or more new chemical elements (e.g. non-baryonic elements) that allow you to do things that would've otherwise violated the laws of nature.

HallowHawk: Real-life places are absolutely okay in fiction, or else half of the superhero genre wouldn't exist. Just remember to do your research so that Filipinos who actually live in Manila don't laugh at you or get upset if you get major details wrong.

Is this an example of a dark, depressing and disturbing Downer Ending

Excrept from draft: "As Warren Hiedler spoke up his speech, summarizing his philosophy. Theriomorphs from around the world starting rising from the shadows and into the world. Theriomorphs started destroying everything in their rampage, provoked by Warren Hiedler the Emperor of the Blood Order.

In Washington D.C., Theriomorphs led by Jerome the Green Iguana Theriomorph have destroyed the Lincoln Memorial because of its idolatrous properties. At Mount Rushmore, Chief Lightning the Coyote Theriomorph and his Native American Theriomorphs have defaced it to have Warren Hiedler and the Blood Order's founders faces.

Paris, France, Theriomorphs led by Callum the European Hedgehog and Yvonne the Fennec Fox Theriomorph had burned most of the city and wrecked the Eiffel Tower. In Berlin, Germany, Theriomorphs in Germany had burned the Reichstag and placed banners and flags of the Blood Order around and performed a second Kristallnacht. At Rome, Italy the Colosseum was turned into a base for gladiatorial fights with hostages and the Theriomorphs led by Vespa the Sea Otter Theriomorph had made a modern Roman Republic.

In Moscow, Russia, Theriomorphs besieged the Kremlin as they were commanded by Warren Hiedler to be destroyed. In Egypt, the Theriomorphs of Egypt had taken over most of it. At Dubai was destroyed by sandstorms and Theriomorphs had summoned the sandstorms. The slums of the Indian subcontinent was burned down to wipe out the weak while temples were dedicated for the Theriomorphs.

At Beijing, China Tienanmen Square was ruined and Mao's portrait was ruined. In Japan, all of the coasts were destroyed by weapons of mass destruction launched by the Blood Order and invaded by the Japanese Theriomorphs. Most of the Jews were slaughtered by Theriomorphs to prepare for the Paradise of God to come in Israel.

Singapore was attacked with air raids and bombings from Malaysian and Bird Race Theriomorphs with the tune of the Flight of the Valkyries. In Syndney, Australia, the Opera House was taken over and become last stand of Humankind and Theriomorphs ending in defeat of the Humans.

All around the world, Theriomorphs from every part of the world had been attacking and smiting humans unworthy of Paradise. Children had been taken by the Blood Order from their human parents and turned into Theriomorphs for their army as commanded by Warren Hiedler in his broadcast many days ago as a protocol for the Blood Order.

Warren watched the world being taken over and when he finished his speech. He ordered his army of Theriomorphs to attack the human crowd"

As you see this is a disposable draft for my story. This is not the finalized ending for my Theriomorph stories. it is set in an alternate point of view. .

edited 2nd Mar '17 2:21:48 AM by Huthman

...Wasn't Warren supposed to be the hero? This seems more like an Esoteric Happy Ending than a straight-up Downer Ending.

Unless Warren was supposed to progress from a very dark anti-hero to a full Villain Protagonist. From what I understand, his philosophy was never supposed to be something that would lend to a "happy" ending for humankind.

Plus, who said that just because a story frames someone as a hero it must assume his victory is a positive thing?

edited 2nd Mar '17 7:52:50 AM by EternaMemoria

Oh yes, well in my story progression for my Theriomorph stories, Warren is supposed to be a idealistic Kid Hero into either a extremist Sociopathic Hero or full-blown Tragic Villain Protagonist.

May be more a worldbuilding question: Assuming modern tech and high standard of living, what would a residential area with a density of 150000 dwellings/square kilometre look like? Nota bene, green land and services (such as schools or shops) are elsewhere.

I have a superhuman character who is 2.4 meters tall. I'm wondering if I should give her inhuman traits like an additional pair of eyes and one or two additional pair of arms (one of which would be tiny arms sorta around her belly). She can "increase" the metabolism of living beings to "apparently violates Conservation of Mass and Energy degrees", although it also speeds up aging processes.

@Septimus Heap: Is it a private area like a condominium or is everyone responsible for their own home? Do they have any kind of building code and means to enforce it?

Condominium. It's a country that tends to favour non-private models of ownership and it's logistically easier. As for building codes, they do have stringent enforcement of these. Specially these against the use of flammable or heat-intolerant material in houses, as the country is formed by volcanically active desert islands with little space.

The densist area on Earth, as far as I can determine, is Macau, with a whopping 20,000 people per sq km. That pales in comparison to your setting. If we assume four people per dwelling, that 600,000 people per sq km!! There's going to be an order of magnitude more living space far above and far below the ground than at surface level to fit that many people in.

Even if you cram a hundred people into each dwelling, your still talking about space elevator sized skyscrapers here. Which is an interesting idea all in itself...