3 ms·
In the book "Death's End" by Cixin Liu, the final book of the "Three Body Problem" trilogy - they explore the problem of data storage that has to last for milli
by silenced_trope 3y ago
In the book "Death's End" by Cixin Liu, the final book of the "Three Body Problem" trilogy - they explore the problem of data storage that has to last for millions of years.
In their case they end up having a "Museum of Humanity" that exists in man-made caves in Pluto specifically meant to merely have information carved into the walls as all digital and other physical formats weren't deemed sufficient.
I suspect these data formats are similarly not sufficient.
- elcritch 3y agoThat portion of the books didn’t seem too well reasoned. Digital encoding with high redundancy error correction and carved into walls would be superior to analog encodings for long term archival IMHO. Though more difficult to decode, any aliens advanced enough to reach it could reverse engineer it.
- eternityforest 3y agoAnalog text is already very redundant in the same manner as digital ECC. Letters mostly are different from other letters, and usually a single corrupt letter is obvious and one can tell what the author meant. Digital ECC adds an extra layer, but analog text is still pretty good.
- ssnistfajen 3y agoThe neat thing about sci-fi is that they are fiction first and science second. This makes them enticing to enjoy but not mundanely realistic enough to be actual real life guidance. Good to keep in mind.
- m463 3y agoNot that their imagination can't be your guide. Worked for satellites, worked for 1984.
- reitanqild 3y ago> Worked for satellites, Nice example! > ... worked for 1984. Another nice example, but ouch, that hurt.
- ssnistfajen 3y agoWhen did Tsiokolvsky become a sci-fi author? The things in 1984 are the natural outcome of a totalitarian authority seeking control. Orwell simply made his predictions on a phenomenon that existed.