around the world in 80 minutes

[AntonioLao]

Every astronaut aboard the Space Shuttle at one time or another would be able to say that s(he) can go around the world in 80 minutes. To do so the orbital speed must be about 7 or 8 kilometers per second and orbital altitude between 150 and 200 kilometers. Anything less the spacecraft will fall back to Earth. Anything more it will be lost into interplanetary space. On the other hand, at this tremendous speed what can the astronaut see looking out the portholes? Although light enters the astronaut’s eye at lightspeed, the eye processes this information at much lower speed. Therefore, at very high speed everything appears blurry. Fortunately, this does not happen in orbital space and the astronaut really can enjoy a spectacular view of the whole Earth within 80 minutes. However, what the astronaut gains in global perspective s(he) loses in local details. The astronaut can almost say that the Earth seems lifeless and nothing interesting can be perceived except for some weather patterns of cloud following more clouds in some fixed or spiral motions. On the other hand, if the astronaut happens to enter the sunless, cloudless hemisphere of the orbit, the nightside views of Earth are those million points of scintillating light concentrating in every metropolitan area around the world. An alien astronaut can almost say that these are good signs of life on Earth and the alien being would want to establish immediate encounter of the 3rd kind or the 4th kind. Most likely, a male alien would want to encounter a female earthling while a female alien would want to encounter a male earthling following the universal law of the biological principle of personal preference.

[labelwench]

An alien astronaut can almost say that these are good signs of life on Earth and the alien being would want to establish immediate encounter of the 3rd kind or the 4th kind. Most likely, a male alien would want to encounter a female earthling while a female alien would want to encounter a male earthling following the universal law of the biological principle of personal preference.
Originally posted by AntonioLao

The biology of personal preference affords more choices than those you have stated. There is also the possibility that another species may have means of reproduction that we are unaware of. They may be considerably more advanced that ourselves, in which case, the biological preference referenced may not even be a consideration.

Gender orientation and behavior is determined by the same factors that cause our bodies to be masculine or feminine, both before and after birth; due to certain abnormalities in this process that will be discussed later, sexual orientation and behavior, and even appearance may not match genetic gender. There are two major hypotheses to a biological basis for sexual orientation; ”Two lines of evidence suggest that sexual orientation is influenced by innate processes: neuroendocrine (including neuroanatomical) and genetic studies”(Pillard).


The greatest proof of a biological basis of sexual orientation can be found when congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) also known as Adreno-genital syndrome causes the adrenal glands to secret testosterone in the female body, where it is naturally non-existent. “Several studies have found high rates of masculine behavior in girls with CAH, including preference for masculine toys, increased rough-and-tumble play activity, and other ‘tomboyish’ behavior. Even more importantly, some studies have found elevated rates of homosexual feelings among adult women with CAH compared to control women“(Pillard). Numerous hormone studies conducted on rats and cats have shown a pre-natal and post-natal change in sexual behavior and orientation. “Research has shown that both male and female rats can be reprogrammed to show the sexual behavior of the opposite gender if they are given the hormones that control sexual arousal in the opposite gender”(Alloy at-el. 362).

http://scienceray.com/philosophy-of-...l-orientation/

[AntonioLao]

the biological preference referenced may not even be a consideration

Maybe not Gaussian-error normal distribution? But the statistical analysis of personal preference might conform to a unique bimodal distribution. See the link http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bimodal_distribution and http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Normal_distribution

[labelwench]

Maybe not Gaussian-error normal distribution? But the statistical analysis of personal preference might conform to a unique bimodal distribution. See the link http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bimodal_distribution and http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Normal_distribution

Granted, that we are going to approach any unknown from the parameters of our established patterns, so your links are interesting and valid extension.

I cast my mind upon the night skies and speculate what form of life would venture forth from a perfectly good home planet, if they had one as wonderful as Earth. Then, also, recognizing the 'need to know' as sufficient motivation for our species, and so by similar extrapolation as you have used, why would they not go forth to learn?

So, now, supposing that they have gone forth.....

Considering what we know of the distances involved, and from my science fiction readings as a youth, would they use 'sleeper ship technology'? To reduce ambient tension in a close living environment, the crew members for the journey would have to be selected with care. Would they choose male, female or neuter sexed representatives to alleviate one potential for trouble on such an epic journey.

Back to earth......on this planet women were not allowed to serve on United States submarines until 2008, as per this link:

http://www.subsim.com/new_york_times_sub_article.htm

[AntonioLao]

speculate what form of life would venture forth from a perfectly good home planet

Recently, I was looking at maps of the city I grew up more than 40 years ago and realized the fact that although much have changed, I really was ignorant of what is happening within 200 feet radius of my living quarters even then, relying simply on sight and sound and personal contact because I live in a primitive society where there is a lack of public radios and no television at all and I have no allowance of pocket change for the freedom to go anywhere, anywhen.

[labelwench]

Recently, I was looking at maps of the city I grew up more than 40 years ago and realized the fact that although much have changed, I really was ignorant of what is happening within 200 feet radius of my living quarters even then, relying simply on sight and sound and personal contact because I live in a primitive society where there is a lack of public radios and no television at all and I have no allowance of pocket change for the freedom to go anywhere, anywhen.

When I first moved in the Yukon's capital city from a small remote town in Northern B.C., I lived in a small apartment building that housed 12 living units and had a shared laundromat in the basement. Strangely enough, during the six months that I resided there, I never got to know a single neighbor and seldom even encountered any of the people who lived in that building.

Extreme closeness in living quarters would seem to create it's own unique segregation and privacy.

When I relocated back to a more rural setting just 20 minutes outside of the city, it was but a short time until I became part of a community once again.

Though our city is quite small, and I journey to it six days a week, there are many businesses that have come and gone, and I have not even passed through their doors, for unless I have a need to fill, I will not go to a place. We have a marvelous Sportsplex with an Aquatic center, that I have no interest in viewing as it does not address any of my interests. My life has ever been a succession of 'missions', and I am much occupied without additional detours.

[AntonioLao]

I am wondering if Paolo Soleri's visionary world of the Arcosanti could have created an ideal utopian society? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paolo_Soleri

[labelwench]

I am wondering if Paolo Soleri's visionary world of the Arcosanti could have created an ideal utopian society? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paolo_Soleri

From some on-line research of the past, and a quick tour now, it appears that the vision was well ahead of it's time, and unfortunately, perhaps not sited as well as it could have been to attract the interest, engineering and funding that is required to turn visions into reality. Perhaps others shall retrofit his vision with our new technology and bring such concept into being in another location.

Interesting that he studied with Frank Lloyd Wright, whose architecture was, and remains amazing, and of which I have an illustrated book.

I once stayed in Minnesota in a lovely home that was built into a hill, and incorporated many earth-friendly features. That was in 1988, when I was racing sled dogs in the John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon, a 460 mile race. We finished 13th of 37 and returned swiftly north to race in the Yukon Quest with the same dogs. The largest field of competitors ever, and we completed the course, 14th of 47 teams. Not that you need to know this, lol....the thoughts just all ran into each other as the Yukon Quest was won this year by a neighbor, Hans Gatt, who set a record time.

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/north/story...kon-quest.html

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/north/story...kon-quest.html

[AntonioLao]

he studied with Frank Lloyd Wright

In another respect, the works of Frank Lloyd Wright might have also inspired Ayn Rand's philosophy of objectivism. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Objectivism_(Ayn_Rand)

[labelwench]

In another respect, the works of Frank Lloyd Wright might have also inspired Ayn Rand's philosophy of objectivism. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Objectivism_(Ayn_Rand)

Have you read her book, 'Atlas Shrugged'? I did so, several years ago now, and I have it somewhere still. Perhaps it may be timely to read again, as apparently, it has been enjoying a recent surge in popularity.


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atlas_Shrugged

Atlas Shrugged is a novel by Ayn Rand, first published in 1957 in the United States. This was Rand's fourth, longest and last novel, and she considered it her magnum opus in the realm of fiction writing.[1] As indicated by its working title The Strike, the book explores a dystopian United States where leading innovators, ranging from industrialists to artists, refuse to be exploited by society. The protagonist, Dagny Taggart, sees society collapse around her as the government increasingly asserts control over all industry, while society's most productive citizens, led by the mysterious John Galt, progressively disappear. Galt describes the strike as "stopping the motor of the world" by withdrawing the "minds" that drive society's growth and productivity; with their strike these creative minds hope to demonstrate that the economy and society would collapse without the profit motive and the efforts of the rational and productive.

The novel's title is a reference to the mythical Titan, Atlas, who in the novel is said to hold the weight of the heavens on his shoulders.[2] At one point, the character of Francisco d'Anconia asks the character Hank Rearden what sort of advice he would give to Atlas. Rearden is unable to answer, so Francisco gives his own response: "to shrug" (with Atlas being a metaphor for the champions of industry who keep the world in place). The novel includes elements of mystery and science fiction,[3] and it contains Rand's most extensive statement of Objectivism in any of her works of fiction via a lengthy monologue delivered by the strike's leader, John Galt.[4]

The theme of Atlas Shrugged, as Rand described it, is "the role of man's mind in existence." The book explores a number of philosophical themes that Rand would subsequently develop into the philosophy of Objectivism.[5][6] It advocates the core tenets of Rand's philosophy of Objectivism and expresses her concept of human achievement. In doing so it expresses many facets of Rand's philosophy, such as the advocacy of reason, individualism, the market economy and the failure of government coercion.