bakerstreet | Book Club Meme

Book Club Meme

Hey, you've been meaning to join a book club! Unless you haven't and you've been forced here by friend or by gunpoint. If it's the latter, uh, sorry. We've got snacks!

...did you at least read the book?

HOW TO PLAY
- All top levels should be by someone "hosting" a book club, by which I mean some character puts a title in their subject line (ie, Jane Eyre comments with Wuthering Heights in hers, along with blank comment) and everyone else tags in with either dialogue or description.
- Is your character asking questions about what they've read? Trying to stir the pot since they're here for drama? Maybe they stole all the donuts while no one else was looking. Let us not forget that most honored of book club members, either: the person who didn't read at all, searched Wikipedia frantically for a synopsis, and is now desperately trying to pretend they have a valuable contribution to the discussion.
- Threadhopping/threadjacking will happen.
- Books also don't have to be real. Part of the fun is making up dumb titles your character would have on their Goodreads.

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[ She hopes you read Foundation, but will accept any lively debates or alternate titles! ]

Oh! You might be able to help me.

[Paul approaches, excited, a book under one arm. On closer observation it’s a half-read copy of The Left Hand of Darkness.]

Foundation’s very good, though I’ve got a lot of your planet’s fiction to catch up on. Is there anything else you’d suggest to a beginner?

I want to begin with some light reading.

Professor Stephen Hawking's theories regarding tenth-dimensional space being too small to travel is accurate, but works from other worlds ponder the possibility of many more dimensions being available.

With the existence of other worlds and the confirmation of Superstring Theory, I am wondering how is it explained within the Standard Model of Physics, and especially what happens in worlds where the laws of physics vary even further. Further literature with up-to-date research both from Earth and from other worlds is required in order to either confirm or refute some of the late Professor's notes.

...

[ In that moment of silence, staring at you unmoving, she finally speaks in normal english. ]

How does FTL and multi-dimensional travel exist within your worlds, and which are the most prominent authors you all know in those fields?

I recommend Ringworld as another exploration regarding civilizations and megastructures. Many of them, including Ecumenopolis worlds, suffer the problem of concentration of heat, and even promising projects such as Dyson Spheres suffer from this problem.

[ Kotomi holds up the book in question. ]

The titular ringworld is offered as a compromise between a Dyson Sphere and a standard planet, by offering a world that is a strip of land spread around a sun, while creating an artificial day-night cycle via elevated plates. In turn, it accumulates even less heat than standard worlds while allowing ample living space for many generations.

That sounds like something I might be interested in. I have a list I'm working through and the book you suggested will be added to it. That is a interesting proposal. My universe doesn't have any documented planets that aren't round. That's a consequence of gravity. It pulls materials - solid, liquid, or gas - to the planet's center.

I'm more interested in the cultural and anthropological side of things, personally. Have you read this one?

[Paul smiles and displays his own book.]

I was working through the authors I saw recommended the most. A general survey, for lack of a better term. A broad range of perspectives is invaluable for a historical study. In my universe most of these books are lost, so this is an opportunity that I can't pass up. If you can help me, I'd really appreciate that.

[Behold, all the context you need.]

'twas confusing in parts. I confess, I have no idea what the meaning of the sixth...sesh? [Was that the word?] Shesh? The one in chapter eight, in which the heroine broke the mandolin whilst he broke her heart.

[ yes there is a swooning human female on the cover. do you want to make something of it. ]

I can’t say we have a lot of multi-dimensional travel where I’m from, but - this Professor Hawking guy sure seems to know what he’s talking about. [ Edward looks down at his own copy of the book, flipping it open. ]

I mean, he’s a good writer, which is important. But more than that, he’s smart. I get all the stuff on atoms ‘n molecules, and the stuff he talks about in chapter four with the Uncertainty Principle. But the rest of it’s more advanced than my world has gotten to, y’know?

[ He’ll still try his best to understand it, though! ]

I guess that the closest thing we’ve got to multi-dimensional travel is the Truth, but that’s not what Professor Hawking’s talking about. I mean, clearly the Gate is a different dimension, but I’m not sure if that’s the same string theory. Because what Professor Hawking is saying is that String Theory is only consistent with having… [ he pauses to consult his book. ] …ten or twenty-six dimensions, on page 179. And if the Gate is an alternate dimension, that still doesn’t prove there’s enough to support String Theory. And it also doesn’t prove strings in the first place.

The part I’m interested in is chapter two. Time. Where I’m from, we’ve got similar theories, but not space-time as a concept. I always thought they were inherently separate! Different dimensions are kinda just there, y’know? But if time relates to the movement of atoms directly, then we’ve totally been misunderstanding it!

[ Suddenly realizing that he’s monopolized the conversation, Ed flushes and looks away. ]

What about you? What are your theories?

[The Doctor is sitting criss-cross in the chair, in a bit of A Thinker pose with the rest of him. He's wants to discuss but also not show how much he knows-knows. Given he's been to other dimensions, other universes and of course, time]

Oh, yes! He is absolutely brillant. Buuuuut - [The Doctor waggles his tongue and combs through his hair]

Consider, that we are in one of these universes with different physics. Doesn't SuperString Theory basically state that whut doesn't here happens somewhere else? So- wouldn't different physics also be included in that equation to account for universes that do havef slightly altered physics?

[ Dornish history! It's great! ]

I am not a theoretical physicist, but an experimental geneticist and biomedical engineer. I may have been in error when I dismissed humans as a largely underdeveloped species. This text is far in advance of what I believed them capable of understanding.

[ Shockwave hesitates, trying to get their words in order and not spout static. ]

I believe the classical physical model is most useful when it describes kinematics, and produces correct results within its domains. [ That next part is much more welcome. ] Ancient Cybertronians developed 'spacebridge' technology, which manipulates the fabric of space to move long distances in moments. As for multi-dimensional travel, it is only hypothetical. [ Without humor, they add ] We have trouble enough in our own dimension.

[ She looks at the book like a happy child staring at a piece of candy. Kotomi spreads her hands, just at a slight distance, before looking at him. ]

Can I read it? [ She then puts a hand over her chest. She needs to read both The Left Hand of Darkness and Paul's book. ] I want to read your book when it is finished...

[ Kotomi is a massive bibliophile, hence this meme being made for her. So many new choices... ]

Contact is a really, really good story regarding first contact, and how could it play out on Earth with the SETI projects we have. Its author, Carl Sagan, was inspired by the more realistic aspects of science fiction, but also shows how people and governments would react to even an alien message saying 'Hello. We heard you.'.

[ Kotomi does not mind, and in fact shuffles closer to listen. It is not often she listens to someone with that amount of knowledge regarding advanced physics, and she could spend hours reading about it all.

When Ed finally asks, Kotomi blinks back to consciousness, and sits straight. She looks at her side. ]

Admittedly, I believe in superstring theory out of personal faith. I am of the belief everything we do has repercussions everywhere else, and that may happen even across worlds. Every decision taken, every confession made or kept, could happen everywhere at once.

My parents' work was focused on the study of M-Theory... and sometimes, I've come to believe there is an Illusionary World of sorts out there, connected to this one.

[ She smiles to herself, looking down, remembering her and resting both hands over her chest. She then looks up. ]

Space-time as a singular element has been the cornerstone of contemporary physics where I am from, which is why I am fascinated by the concept of other worlds... especially in places like this, where we can talk with people from other universes entirely.

To be completely honest with you, the field of Advanced Physics is only a century old for humanity where I am from. There is much we have yet to learn, and every new discovery only accentuates that realization.

[ Kotomi is not phased by the fact a giant transforming robot is talking to her, but the fact physics is new to her. Because she's a doofus like that. ]

The 'spacebridge' technology you mention reminds me of Einstein–Rosen bridges, 'Wormholes' as we know them; but most especially the hypothetical Alcubierre Drives, which similarly fabricate the fabric of space by making space in front smaller, and the space behind bigger, so travel can be quick.

That said, a reasonable concern Prof. Stephen Hawking mentions is that, should said technology even be viable, there would be temporal paradoxes. People going faster than light going to the past by accident. It is why the nature of other worlds fascinates me.

[ The question takes her by surprise, although not in a bad way. It makes her pause. It makes Kotomi pause. She rises her head, blinking, as she puts her finger beneath her chin to think. ]

That is a very logical point.

[ She then leans forward to think. ]

Every field of science is much like a map for either singular regions or varied areas either bigger or smaller than each of them. That said, Prof. Hawking's attempts to find a Theory of Everything eluded him to his death.

Indeed, perhaps multiple worlds have a strong possibility of being against a Theory of Everything.

Well- given probability, thar's at one world in this great big conglomeration of a multiverse that has figured out the Theory to Everything? Don't you think?

But it is certainly something to strive for. Don't know if I would want too me.

[The Doctor scratches his chin in thought]

That's a lot of power being able to connect the subatomic universe physics and Cosmology? Blimey, that's the ability to not just travel across the universe - and in time - but the ability to reshape the very universe.

...

Call me old fashion. Don't know if I'd want any one being having that ability.

[Paul happily offers her the book - he's done with it, more or less, so it's no problem for him to let her have it.]

Of course. I think you'd enjoy it, just as much as I think I'll enjoy the ones you recommended to me. Do you have a copy of Contact...?

[Paul enjoys reading, and he enjoys the idea of learning about Earth and its history even more. It seems as if the two of them will be able to help each other.]

I should introduce myself. Paul Atreides. [A soft chuckle, and he offers a hand in a formal greeting.] Where I come from, it's thousands of years in the future and humanity's changed a great deal, but we haven't encountered true alien life. I'd wonder if both sides have just gotten lucky or if they're simply avoiding us. Humankind isn't the greatest of neighbors, after all.

Threaded | Top-Level Comments Only

Book Club Meme

SCI-FI BOOK CLUB

How to Train Your Sandworm

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A Brief History of Time, by Prof. Stephen Hawking

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The Lady of the Camellias; Alexandre Dumas Fils.

Why Am I Dating Another Musician? by Briggett Wourlf

The Bride of Mandalore, by Barana Drosso

i’m so glad i finally have an excuse to talk about this stuff

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The Loves of Queen Nymeria.

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All good! Not gonna lie, I needed to refresh myself on the book.

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