Overused Silly Sci-Fi Science.

[Steven Lyle Jordan]

Mm-hmm... mm-hmm... mmm...hmmm...mm-hmmm...

Nope. Never used one of 'em. Not even in the Kestral stories.

Okay... maybe #39. I'll have to check.

[Freeshadow]

that space ship nav thingy is IMO to blame why there are next to none space flightsim games with proper 0G behaviour.

what gives me a shudder every time too is:
1.)
you just plug in into $_computer, regardless how different it is, and a data exchange protocol at lightning speed is automagically established.
I want to beat the crap out of people who fixed that myth every time I hear from users asking for help: "can't you just plug in a cable and copy my data over?"

2.) altough $_hero never has any luggage, the stuff worn is fresh for weeks...
needless to say his gadgetry's batts seem to be atomic...

[altworld]

Originally Posted by Iphinome

A spaceship should be able to change its orientation on a dime, so in that wide banking turns annoy me. But changing its momentum on a dime... not so much

Correct, however inertia is in effect and making use of banking turns especially for spaceships would be a practical direction change. Sudden direction changes would not be comfortable unless the crew or passengers are strapped in.

[WT Sharpe]

Sounds in space movies and TV shows drive me nuts. 2001: A Space Odyssey was the only movie I've seen that got it right. There are no sounds to be heard in the vacuum of space. Only Strauss waltzes.

[Steven Lyle Jordan]

What always got me was Star Trek's "We've just encountered this anomaly in space; Federation scientists have never gotten past the theoretical stages on this; but we'll figure out a way through it in days/hours."

And how about how one of the most delicate and easy-to-break systems on board the Enterprise were the Holodeck Safety Protocols? Seemed like you could spill coffee on the right point on the deck and take out that circuit...

[WT Sharpe]

Originally Posted by Steven Lyle Jordan

...And how about how one of the most delicate and easy-to-break systems on board the Enterprise were the Holodeck Safety Protocols? Seemed like you could spill coffee on the right point on the deck and take out that circuit...

OSHA would have a field day with that Holodeck! Any captain that allowed that many mishaps on his ship without shutting down the system for good would probably be busted back to ensign!

[dworth]

Some more:

- If you're out in space and encounter an alien ship, the crew inside it will be good enough to fly it the same way up as your ship.

- Societies with a technological level that allows them to literally manufacture anything they want out of thin air will still have money and trade.

- If a ship runs out of fuel, it stops.

- Battles never take place between ships that are more than a few hundred metres apart.

- Most planets are Earth-like with similar vegetation and climate, except for the ones that look like gravel pits or are covered in collections of unconvincing rocks. Planets without breathable atmospheres are rarely encountered.

- Planets will usually have more than one moon, probably much, much larger than our own. If they don't they will be in close orbit around a large and spectacular gas giant planet. Strangely this will have no ill effects on the environment, such as: massive tidal forces, or lethal dosages of radiation in the case of the latter.

- Asteroid fields are composed of tightly packed, rapidly spinning rocks that are continually smashing into one another. (they aren't)

- All objects in space make a noise. Big spaceships make a low rumbling sound when passing by, as do big asteroids and comets (you even come across the latter in documentaries).

- Light travels instantaneously, as do the blast waves (see below) from big explosions. If the sun blows up millions of kilometres away, you will see it as it happens and then be hit by the blast seconds later.

- Explosions in a vacuum cause compression waves, as if they were taking place in an atmosphere.

[EileenG]

And of course, all aliens are humanoid mammals, perhaps with a sligltly different shape of nose, who find humans interesting and sexy. They are all able to speak English. Females all have two breasts, but strangely, rarely use them to feed babies.

[anamardoll]

Originally Posted by EileenG

And of course, all aliens are humanoid mammals, perhaps with a sligltly different shape of nose, who find humans interesting and sexy. They are all able to speak English. Females all have two breasts, but strangely, rarely use them to feed babies.

Well, naturally, they're like Train Sets.

(Meant for children, but most frequently played with by grown men.)

At least according to many sf authors.

[WT Sharpe]

A movie I saw as a kid in the 50s had one of the greatest sci-fi scenes of all time. An astronaut lands on another world, suits up, and leaves the ship. Then he strikes a match and it bursts into flames. "There's oxygen here!" he announces, and promptly removes his space helmet.

I wish I could remember the name of that gem.

[Freeshadow]

I just imagine the outcry seeing an ensign wes crusher alike having a date with a dolphinoid chick.

[sabredog]

Originally Posted by EileenG

And of course, all aliens are humanoid mammals, perhaps with a sligltly different shape of nose, who find humans interesting and sexy. They are all able to speak English. Females all have two breasts, but strangely, rarely use them to feed babies.

Certainly James T Kirk did have loads of fun...

[Iphinome]

Originally Posted by altworld

Correct, however inertia is in effect and making use of banking turns especially for spaceships would be a practical direction change. Sudden direction changes would not be comfortable unless the crew or passengers are strapped in.

Eh, if you have artificial gravity why would it matter and if the only force you're feeling is acceleration then you won't feel the inertia just the force of moving in your new direction. It might be easier on your brain to have your only motion appear to be forward but you wouldn't be thrown against the side of the ship if you turn 90 degrees.

[dadioflex]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inertia_damper

"The phrase inertial damper is commonly misused in science fiction to describe a device that negates inertia and removes it from surrounding mass. It is more properly described as inertia negation."

Um, THAT's how spaceships turn on a dime - by misunderstanding the term "inertial damper".

[teh603]

Originally Posted by altworld

You forgot plucky brilliant kid saves the day and is allowed access to all the restricted areas of the ship.

I freaking *hate* this trope. I've had to work with plucky, brilliant kids. Every last one of the little stinkers has been more concerned with causing trouble and breaking things for lulz than actually doing anything worthwhile.