The (Quantum Physics) of Linking? | Forums

[poutrew]

I know there have been passing discussions about how the linking books work, but I was wondering if there is any official theory offered on the subject? It seems that offering at least a 'Star Trek' style pseudo history would add a certain depth to the game(s)... especially now, when real physicists are talking seriously about the reality of parallel universes. Being a physicist myself, I have always found the premise of all the Myst games - the ability to travel between various realities- wonderful as a way to stimulate the thought process.

[poutrew]

I know there have been passing discussions about how the linking books work, but I was wondering if there is any official theory offered on the subject? It seems that offering at least a 'Star Trek' style pseudo history would add a certain depth to the game(s)... especially now, when real physicists are talking seriously about the reality of parallel universes. Being a physicist myself, I have always found the premise of all the Myst games - the ability to travel between various realities- wonderful as a way to stimulate the thought process.

[J_ohn]

Does this page suit you, Poutrew?

SBS

[poutrew]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by J_ohn:
Does http://www.fortunecity.com/underworl...n/473/age.html suit you, Poutrew?

SBS <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

That's a good link, and about the most techy explanation there is. I was hoping for something deeper however. For example, I would think a story going into the actual discovery of writing books by the D'ni all those zillions of years ago would be really cool.

For example, a case could be made that the discovery that books actually linked to real worlds could have been an accident. The technology could have bee developed as a way for D'ni psychologists to see the dreams of their patients, and it was only discovered the display panels could link to real places when someone accidentally removed the plastic coating covering the panel and disppeared in front of witnesses.

How about this one: The secret to making the special ink used for writing, is to mix old ink with new ink - kinda like makeing yogurt. The origonal ink came from a universe with a different quantum constant, and acts as a catalyst in our universe to actually convert certain mass in our universe - like special low density ink- into strange matter, like a catalyst. The reaction is self limiting, so that it doesn't run away and convert our entire universe into strange matter. This isn't as far fetched as it sounds. Recently, some scientists feared the latest rounds of accelerator experiments could result in the destruction of our planet and solar system because there was a small chance that Strangelets could be produced which would catalyze our planet into more strange matter. It didn't happen because scientists concluded we could only produce (by accident) positivly charged stranglets, and it is the negatively charged ones that are bad...Truth can be stranger (and more scary) than fiction.

[maztec]

Great link.

Would be interesting if it was revised to use superstring theory instead.

Hmm, time to make a basket of universes.

[J_ohn]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>For example, a case could be made that the discovery that books actually linked to real worlds could have been an accident. The technology could have bee developed as a way for D'ni psychologists to see the dreams of their patients, and it was only discovered the display panels could link to real places when someone accidentally removed the plastic coating covering the panel and disppeared in front of witnesses.

How about this one: The secret to making the special ink used for writing, is to mix old ink with new ink - kinda like makeing yogurt. The origonal ink came from a universe with a different quantum constant, and acts as a catalyst in our universe to actually convert certain mass in our universe - like special low density ink- into strange matter, like a catalyst. The reaction is self limiting, so that it doesn't run away and convert our entire universe into strange matter. This isn't as far fetched as it sounds. Recently, some scientists feared the latest rounds of accelerator experiments could result in the destruction of our planet and solar system because there was a small chance that Strangelets could be produced which would catalyze our planet into more strange matter. It didn't happen because scientists concluded we could only produce (by accident) positivly charged stranglets, and it is the negatively charged ones that are bad...Truth can be stranger (and more scary) than fiction.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Ummm... Rrrright. Well, I guess that everything relative to that is left to speculation. I don't remember any information available about how the Ronay stumbled upon the Art...

SBS

[CuzinJohn]

I'm just as big of a fan of "Trekno-babble" as the next guy, but I think this is the big reason why they called it "The Art of Writing" and not "The Science of Writing".

As soon as you start describing Art in terms of Science, the Art is lost.

My favorite line from Neil Gaiman's "The Books of Magic" sums it up quite nicely. Pardon me for paraphrasing, I don't have the text in front of me for an EXACT quote"

"Science is a manner of talking about the Universe with words that bind it to a common reality. Magic is a means of talking to the Universe with words that it cannot ignore."

[samgdni]

it is my hope that, with the advent of Uru Live, we discover that what we thought we knew about the Art was either just the beginning or not entirely correct to begin with. I hope the mystery remains and that the story truly expands beyond what we know..or think we know, about any of this.

[XyZspineZyX]

In reality, of course, the Art of Writing does not exist. Yet we discuss the physics of how it might work. The history explaining the Art is careful to keep certain areas fuzzy: â"specialâ"� paper, â"specialâ"� ink, and a detailed description of the writing process all remain unexplained. Let us suppose that a detailed description of the Art was revealed: would we be able to follow the instructions and link ourselves to another Age? It seems unlikely. The Art of Writing is a fantasy. The Art - note, not the Science - of Writing is a product of the imagination. So, is it futile to discuss the possible physics involved? No! The subject is fascinating in itself; the discussion may reveal new insights into the nature of the universe and, indeed, into how travelling instantaneously to other worlds may one day be achieved - but perhaps the greatest asset the Dâ'ni had in achieving success in their Art was their belief that it could happen.

[SaxyTenshi]

I thought that perhaps the string theory was involved?

_____________________________
Your natural inclination is to preach and to warn other travellers of snags in the path, but isn't it better to signal to them some of the joys by the way which they might otherwise miss?
- Sir Robert Baden-Powell