----- Original Message -----
From: "Peter Clark" <peter-clark@...>
To: <CONLANG@...>
Sent: Thursday, August 08, 2002 10:01 AM
Subject: Re: OT: The Geography Of A Discworld and the surrounding universe.
> On Thursday 08 August 2002 11:36, H. S. Teoh wrote:
> > On Thu, Aug 08, 2002 at 11:43:21AM -0500, Peter Clark wrote:
> > [snip]
> >
> > > ours. At this point, you basically have complete fiat. You can say
that
> > > your discworld rests on the backs of four elephants that are being
> > > carried on the back of a giant turtle, and we'd all go, "Sure, ok,
> > > whatever you say." Physics discussions, alas, are out of the question.
> >
> > Unless you have a set of consistent physical laws that apply in that
> > fictional universe. It doesn't *have* to be giant turtles just because
it
> > contradicts one or two laws in our universe; there's nothing wrong with
> > having slightly different laws of physics that would allow such
phenomena,
> > and yet still be quite similar to our world.
>
> I have no problem with consistant laws, it's just that Joe's not
being
> consistant in making them! :) First he says that everything is the same as
in
> our universe, then he says that some of the basic premises have been
tweaked
> with, and then he goes and makes a wildly different universe! I'm not
going
> to play that game. Once we get into fantasy universes, then all bets are
off.
> That's why I said he had absolute fiat; by abandoning our universe, he can
do
> whatever he likes, and it's all good.
> And, despite what Q (obligatory Sar Trek reference) may say, you
cannot just
> change the gravitational constant of the universe and expect things to
remain
> similar to our world. Just think of the implications in which the center
of
> the universe was dense enough to significantly act on small bodies
billions
> of light years away. Just think of what would happen if space really was
an
> ether of liquid hydrogen. Those are NOT minor changes!
> :Peter
>
I am just pointing out a plausible universe which would (while stretching
them) follow our physical laws, even if the setting is completely different.
I am assuming a universe which has the same physical laws, but which has
been changed enough to allow an habitable Disc to exist. An ultra-dense
black hole at the centre of the universe does not break the laws of physics.
After much thought, I came to the realisation that liquid hydrogen is not a
possibility as an ether(not in absoloute zero), so I think I'll abandon the
Ether. I concede that point, but I'm keeping my black hole at the centre of
the universe.
You know what...I think I'm getting too defensive.;-)