Ray Jay Perreault's Blog, page 11

Alcubierre Drive Practical Application

Here is an interesting article on the Alcubierre Warp Drive which a number of Sci-Fi writers use as their method of FTL.

http://www.andersoninstitute.com/alcubierre-warp-drive.html

Simply stated the Alcubierre or Albcubierre metric hypothesizes that by creating a warp in the time/space fabric before and after a vehicle, faster than light or FTL travel can occur.

Not being a physicist, astrophysicist but a plain dumb aeronautical engineer, I’m intrigued by the subject. After doing some basic research there is an abundance of debate on its practicality or feasibility. Putting all of that reality aside is the nice part of being a Sci-Fi author; damn the facts – full speed ahead – “warp factor 10 Scotty.”

All I can do is attempt to put some ‘reality engineering’ to the subject. I’m going to ignore the following issues.

Power requirements-some say power required is almost infinite; some say it can be reduced dramatically
Based on negative mass – I won’t even dare to go there!
If it can be initiated onboard or if it needed to initiated at the destination 2,000 years ago! -Another point I don’t dare go into.
Find a way to navigate en route.

Assuming that the alignment of the forward and rearward distortions determines the direction of travel, then their alignment is absolutely critical. Let me show an example. If the traveler is planning on jumping 1 light year which is about 5.87E+12 miles (really big number) and the alignment is off 100th of a degree then you would miss your target by about one billion miles. Not too bad? If you were trying to jump 10 light years or more; your miss would be considerably larger.

For argument sake let’s assume that we could align the distortion to within 1000th of a degree; (much better but a major engineering accomplishment on its own) – we’d miss by approximately 100 million miles (only a little more than the distance from Earth to the Sun) From a practical engineering perspective I’d presume that the length of jump is somewhat limited.

Ok, how do we fix that? If we can find a way to navigate during the jump it would solve the problem. Unfortunately that is on the ‘too tuff today’ list so let’s make some assumptions. Given a wave pattern where it is distorted in a positive direction in the front and a negative direction in the rear then it must pass through zero at the sides. Ok if that is true then we ‘might’ have windows to the sides where we could get a fix while traveling and adjust our course. I don’t know if this will work too well because have you ever tried to drive a car while looking out of the side windows. Not the best way to navigate, but it might be the only option.

So a viable option might be to make relatively small jumps 1 or two light years at a time, navigate a little while jumping. Then as soon as we come out, we update our position quickly and then jump again. I suppose that could work; if we could make it any reasonable distance – say 2,000 light years then we would have to jump about 1,000 to 2,000 times.

I’m planning on using this concept in a follow-on book to my series SIMPOC which I’m hoping for release this fall, I’m assuming that it can work as long as I use small jumps and quickly update my trajectory between jumps. Incidentally I’m ignoring the little things like Hawking Radiation which might cook everyone inside.

Food for thought, if any of you want to use this in your work – go for it.

Ray Jay Perreault

http://rayjayperreault.wordpress.com

Gemini – Just Released

Order

The Raog are a successful race of aliens who have a good life. Their planet is bountiful, their families are growing and they have peace. Some of them ask questions about their solar system and Doctor Wong finds clues that another planet is orbiting opposite to them on the other side of their sun.

Like any species would, they send a satellite to see if there is another planet. The good news is, ‘there is another planet’, and the bad news is ‘there is another planet’. Once the satellite finds the other planet, the situation changes rapidly and the peaceful Roag are forced to defend themselves, their civilization, their religion, and their very existence.

Along the way, they must endure violent acts against them. New leaders are forced to emerge and they are forced to change in order to survive. They must adapt, learn new technologies, learn to fight and learn to survive. And most of all they find that their beliefs must grow to reflect the new realities they face.

Multiverse & Infinity & Sci-Fi

Multiverse & Infinity & Sci-Fi

I just read an interesting article in Scientific American. Here is the link:

http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/why-the-multiverse-may-be-the-most-dangerous-idea-in-physics/

After I read this and participated in a couple of discussions on some web-sites my imagination kicked into high gear and I decided to capture some random thoughts and comments on how the concept of multiverses could be applied within a sci-fi story.

First off, and simply explained, a multiverse is a physics theory that isn’t precluded by any current information including Einstein’s theories. The concept is that there are an infinite number of dimensions as well as an infinite number of Universes. The concept of infinity is hard for any of us to understand, after all unlimited or limitless is a big concept.

As it relates to Sci-Fi I tried to imagine how we could interact with such a concept. First off I’m not using infinity and randomness in the same concept. I’m assuming some order or set of patterns within the term infinity. After all just because it is infinite, doesn’t mean that it doesn’t have some order to it.

Ok working with my thought of order within infinity, I tried to imagine how it would work. First off I doubt any physical terms can be used to describe a dimension ‘next to you’. That concept won’t work. But I think that we could assume that an infinite universe might have a pattern. A group of dimensions that share some common element and might be associated in some way so you might be able to move within a set of dimensions that have similarities.

Those ‘families’ of dimension might be related through energy level, or ME? Wow, maybe I am connected to each of the dimensions that I’m in. Maybe each of us are connected to a set of dimensions that each of us populate. So I might not be able to go to one of your dimensions if you’re not in mine…hummmm food for thought.

Now how does all of this relate to something like time travel? Maybe the difficulty isn’t travelling through time, maybe the difficulty is finding your way back? Again if you travel from one dimension to another; which incidentally allows you to solve the grandfather problem, maybe it’s too difficult to find your way back to your dimension. By going back in time and killing your grandfather, maybe you’ll be trapped trying to find your dimension. After all if there are an infinite number of dimensions than how do you find your way back to where you started?

The answer here is mapping. If we are able to move into another dimension, then we have to find a way to map them and hope their addresses don’t change. Ok if we can map them, then we only have an infinite number of addresses to check out so we can find someplace interesting; ya right! Most likely a large number of the infinite set of dimensions are pretty ugly for us weak humans. If we assume 1% of the dimensions are suitable for us (Which is an absurd assumption)? Waite a minute we can’t assume 1% of infinity; so we have to assume a ratio. A percentage of a large number doesn’t change when you use a larger number and after all infinity is the largest number possible. Said in another way if we assume that 1 out of X dimensions is a dimension that we might be interested in then we still have a long way to go.

If we had enough time to search through dimensions then at some point we might a family of dimensions that we find suitable. Then we just explore that small sub-set of the possible dimensions. And as I suggested before; perhaps I can only explore those dimensions that I exist in and likewise you might be able to explore only those that you exist in? Maybe we can find a sub-set of dimensions that we both exist in?

Enough of this; I’m getting a headache. Let’s break this down to something simple. In my opinion the concept of multiverse could allow time travel. If so the problem becomes tracking, following and finding suitable dimensions; which might be the ultimate challenge.

 

In summary; if there are an infinite number of Ray Jay Perreault’s writing this article about infinity then I can guarantee that there is an infinity +1 number of people trying to understand it.

Gemini Pre Release

Friends – PLEASE CHECK OUT A NEW AUTHOR

“Great world building” – “Great battles” – “Great ending”

For all of you that are anxious to read a good E-book, I have Gemini in pre-release through Smashwords. Gemini is an interesting story that is more than Sci-Fi, it’s a story about aliens you can relate to and understand. I’ve received very positive comments from people who don’t normally read Sci-Fi, as well as a critical reviewer who loved the world building.

To order it through Smashwords and get the discount prior to its full releaseon 9/12, you’ll have to join Smashwords, which is a good idea for anyone who reads E-books. Amazon is the largest book seller but Smashwords is the largest E-book seller.

Also, buying the book through pre-release really help me. All of the pre-release sales are booked on the release date and it jumps the book way up the best sellers lists and thus many more people see it.
Please check it out.

Link to Smashwords

https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/465089

Remember I have two other books also available; please check them out.

SIMPOC

https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/466919

SIMPOC 2

https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/464799

 

Ray Jay Perreault

http://rayjayperreault.wordpress.com

Water Footprint?

I read an interesting article in Scientific American, it talks about our water footprint. How much water we use?’ The article is talking about the water  needed to support the food we eat and the clothes we wear.

http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/how-big-is-your-water-footprint/

Do you realize that one cup of coffee takes about 36 gallons of water to grow the beans. Now take a deep breath and take a look at how much water it takes for a hamburger; would you believe 634 gallons of water to grow the beef, grow the bun and to process and prepare it for you. Yum, yum!

Now for the kicker how much water will it take for you to have a single pair of Levi jeans; would you believe 2641 gallons to grow the cotton, process it, make it into fabric and then make into one pair of jeans.

I also read in a separate source that it takes 50 gallons of water to grown ONE walnut.

Sci Fi writers, this could lead to an interesting story about water wars, or water as a currency, or a society where food and clothing is controlled depending on your water ration. Sounds scarier than an alien invasion.

Just a technical thought for the day.

Ray Jay Writer

http://rayjayperreault.wordpress.com

Elon Musk on Artificial Intelligence

Here is an interesting article about Elon Musk’s opinion on AI (Artificial Intelligence).

http://mashable.com/2014/08/03/elon-musk-artificial-intelligence/

Being a Sci-Fi Writer and a Aeronautical Engineer with a MS in Computer Technology Management, this article really hits home. I totally agree and I’ve had tons of experience with computers doing exactly what he talked about. Computers do what they are programmed to do, but a complex program always takes on a character that may be different from what the programmer intended. In many instances we had programs that we thought were ready for release and invariably they would do unpredictable things when faced with real world input.

Carrying this problem into a future world where there are computers with AI, unpredictable results are guaranteed. Coupling those results with a computer program that can learn and adjust itself will be like letting the ‘horse out of the barn.’ The key element to be sensitive to, is giving the computers the connections and ability to ‘do things.’ If a program gives the answer to ‘eliminate humanity,’ the programmer should be able to intercede.

Applying a little Sci-Fi thought to this, I can see a world where a computer with AI is built and over time it does a good job and finally someone thinks about how much money they can save by trusting the computer and giving it control. After all the typical management thought is, ‘if it hasn’t broken, then convince me it will break,’ which in this instance is saying ‘if I can save money, then we’ll turn on the computer and if you can’t prove that it will fail, then I’ll assume it won’t,’ and of course the implied ‘yes, but, if it does fail then it’s your fault for not programming it better.’

In my series SIMPOC, my computers follow this kind of logic we end up with a good computer and a bad computer. The bad computer does what it is programmed to do. And “Yes,” there are aliens and a apocalyptic virus thrown in for fun.

Both SIMPOC Books For The Price Of One

This weekend only, the first two of the SIMPOC series is available as a package. Get both for the price of on, 33% savings. Both books are available on Ganxy https://ganxy.com/i/95987

Gemini

 

Pre Order at Smashwords.com

I just wanted to let everyone know, that I’m going in a different direction with Gemini. Instead of a 5 book series where each of the books were about 20,000 words (~100 pages) I’ve decided to combine them into one volume 100,000 words (~300 to 400 pages). So the entire first part of the story will be in one book.

I’m also going to have a pre-order available on Smashwords.com where you’ll be able to pre-order at a discounted price. The actual release is planned for 9/12.

I’m doing this for a couple of reasons but primarily I think it will make the book more enjoyable to read, the parts will flow together better rather than waiting between segments.

Also, it will allow me to start writing my next book sooner!

Hope you enjoy!

SIMPOC 2 Human Remnants Just Released

Amazon Link

SIMPOC 2 Human Remnants was just released get it now on Amazon.

 

 

The Last Ship

What does everyone think of the new series The Last Ship?

I think it’s pretty good and I’m enjoying it. I’m glad to see that they are trying to make it ‘sorta realistic’. I like seeing it on an actual ship and I’m glad to see the women leaders. Let’s hope they keep the story going without getting too weird.

I find it humorous that I have some similar story elements in my book SIMPOC 2 Human Remnants (which will be released 8/1). Not to say they stole my scrip, or I theirs, but when the human population is wiped out by a suspicious virus it’s natural to have the few remaining survivors on ships.

In my book, a big part of the Navy is still viable along with many civilian craft. The president and some of the congressional and military leadership are trapped on a aircraft carrier in the Atlantic.

The humans on the ships along with the returning astronauts from the space station Oasis and moon colony Desert Beach work with the Thinking Computer SIMPOC and start rebuilding the world, until they are faced with an even larger threat which might end humanity entirely.