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That's a great idea for a scifi novel right there. I wonder if you could steer the star around by shining more of the radiation out of one end, or focus it all

That's a great idea for a scifi novel right there. I wonder if you could steer the star around by shining more of the radiation out of one end, or focus it all into a beam of death

Geee 4y ago
In addition to Kardashev scale, there should be a scale for how much power can a civilization project on an enemy at once. More advanced civilization should be able to project more power on similar scale as Kardashev. I.e. being able to project one star's power on an enemy would be a type 2 civilization.
olex 4y ago
There's a great concept that I found out about reading Schlock Mercenary (a sci-fi webcomic), about using a gas giant as an interstellar spaceship [1]. It probably originates elsewhere, but it was nicely explained there. You build a "candle" (huge tube) that is inserted into the gas giant on one side, then ignite the gases inside it (iirc the comic uses fusion reactors on both ends, and an intake in the center of the candle). Both ends of the candle are open, "inner" end counteracts the gas giant's gravity to keep the candle from sinking into the core, the other end produces thrust. You put your payload on moons that orbit around the gas giant, and steer by moving the candle. The "thrust end" of the candle also doubles as a light and heat source for the moons, replacing the sun while in interstellar space. There are... some risks involved into the whole operation. [1]: https://www.schlockmercenary.com/2003-08-03 https://www.schlockmercenary.com/2003-08-03
idiotsecant 4y ago
Not only is there a scifi novel or a zillion about such a thing but you can read the best (i think) one right on the authors website. Accelerando by Charlie Stross is not only about sun-brains, but is also about how they change human society and culture. Good book. https://www.antipope.org/charlie/blog-static/fiction/acceler https://www.antipope.org/charlie/blog-static/fiction/acceler...
- Tangurena2 4y ago
  Corrected link: https://www.antipope.org/charlie/blog-static/fiction/accelerando/accelerando.html https://www.antipope.org/charlie/blog-static/fiction/acceler... Note: I have both a dead-tree and kindle edition of this book. I really like the idea of freeing the lobsters and I agree with the points he makes about "owning" minds.

That's a great idea for a scifi novel right there. I wonder if you could steer the star around by shining more of the radiation out of one end, or focus it all into a beam of death

Geee 4y ago

In addition to Kardashev scale, there should be a scale for how much power can a civilization project on an enemy at once. More advanced civilization should be able to project more power on similar scale as Kardashev. I.e. being able to project one star's power on an enemy would be a type 2 civilization.

olex 4y ago

There's a great concept that I found out about reading Schlock Mercenary (a sci-fi webcomic), about using a gas giant as an interstellar spaceship [1]. It probably originates elsewhere, but it was nicely explained there. You build a "candle" (huge tube) that is inserted into the gas giant on one side, then ignite the gases inside it (iirc the comic uses fusion reactors on both ends, and an intake in the center of the candle). Both ends of the candle are open, "inner" end counteracts the gas giant's gravity to keep the candle from sinking into the core, the other end produces thrust. You put your payload on moons that orbit around the gas giant, and steer by moving the candle. The "thrust end" of the candle also doubles as a light and heat source for the moons, replacing the sun while in interstellar space. There are... some risks involved into the whole operation. [1]: https://www.schlockmercenary.com/2003-08-03 https://www.schlockmercenary.com/2003-08-03

idiotsecant 4y ago

Not only is there a scifi novel or a zillion about such a thing but you can read the best (i think) one right on the authors website. Accelerando by Charlie Stross is not only about sun-brains, but is also about how they change human society and culture. Good book. https://www.antipope.org/charlie/blog-static/fiction/acceler https://www.antipope.org/charlie/blog-static/fiction/acceler...

Tangurena2 4y ago
Corrected link: https://www.antipope.org/charlie/blog-static/fiction/accelerando/accelerando.html https://www.antipope.org/charlie/blog-static/fiction/acceler... Note: I have both a dead-tree and kindle edition of this book. I really like the idea of freeing the lobsters and I agree with the points he makes about "owning" minds.