More Trektardism

[DogsOfWar]

That is a beautiful argument. Plus you can use it to show that the S8472 planet killer is a MCR (not that there was any doubt of course).

[Darth Servo]

His magic energy beam must already transfer on the order of 10^38 joules to the target before the MCR takes place.

<Rabid Stupid Asshole>

Well, the chain reaction imparts that energy into the planet from the reacting matter. It doesn't have to come from the beam itself. You see, this is just further proof of the chain reaction. Using these numbers, a fusion reactor couldn't possibly generate that much energy, (yadda-yadda-yadda for four mor pages)

</Rabid Stupid Asshole>

[Lord Poe]

That is a beautiful argument. Plus you can use it to show that the S8472 planet killer is a MCR (not that there was any doubt of course).

Don't forget to forcefully remind them that we have NEVER ONCE seen 8472 destroy a WHOLE planet. They may have blew chunks out of the side of the planet facing the camera, but we NEVER saw the whole planet destroyed.

Thank Mike for that one!

[Peptuck]

His magic energy beam must already transfer on the order of 10^38 joules to the target before the MCR takes place.

<Rabid Stupid Asshole>

Well, the chain reaction imparts that energy into the planet from the reacting matter. It doesn't have to come from the beam itself. You see, this is just further proof of the chain reaction. Using these numbers, a fusion reactor couldn't possibly generate that much energy, (yadda-yadda-yadda for four mor pages)

</Rabid Stupid Asshole>

I can see him making that argument. His inability to truely grasp basic science shines clearly enough.

Amusing fact: this idiot on ST.com seems to think that a single episode of TOS regarding warp speeds overrides two entire series with critical plot points centering around slow warp speeds.

The only reason I'm taking so long to reply to him is because - I'm extremely embarassed to admit this - that I'm very meek and nervous when it comes to debating on the internet. Even against SSFPheonix I was hesitant to reply to anything he said, because I'm not very confrontational....

[Batman]

How in Valen's name did you end up HERE of all places then?

[Peptuck]

How in Valen's name did you end up HERE of all places then?

The power of Mike Wong's charismatic powers of mental and verbal annihilation?

[Batman]

That was sort of the point-you're supposedly meek and nonconfrontational and you end up at a place where Mike's attitude is the rule rather than the exception?

[Ender]

His magic energy beam must already transfer on the order of 10^38 joules to the target before the MCR takes place.

<Rabid Stupid Asshole>

Well, the chain reaction imparts that energy into the planet from the reacting matter. It doesn't have to come from the beam itself. You see, this is just further proof of the chain reaction. Using these numbers, a fusion reactor couldn't possibly generate that much energy, (yadda-yadda-yadda for four mor pages)

</Rabid Stupid Asshole>

I can see him making that argument. His inability to truely grasp basic science shines clearly enough.

We are talking abut a guy who's response to Mike pointing out that X-wing's must generate 60 megajoules per kilogram lifted into space to satisfy conservation of energy was irrelevent because we didn't know how much energy repulsors used.

We are talking about a guy who claimed that a flame in space would just stop (yes, we were talking explosions and engine exhaust but he kept using the example of a match), thus demonstrating he doesn't understand chemistry or newton's laws of motion.

We are talking about a guy who thinks kilowatthours is the same as watts per second, thus demonstrating he doesn't understand the difference between multiplication and division.

He isn't making mistakes on the third-order differential equations he is solving in his head here. These are glaring errors about the most fundamental concepts in science.

[Peptuck]

That was sort of the point-you're supposedly meek and nonconfrontational and you end up at a place where Mike's attitude is the rule rather than the exception?

I try to make it a point to not say stupid stuff around here that would catch a savage beatdown. Not succeeding very well at that, I suppose

[Darth Wong]

That was sort of the point-you're supposedly meek and nonconfrontational and you end up at a place where Mike's attitude is the rule rather than the exception?

Actually, it's probably a good idea that he came here. A meek, non-confrontational person will learn to be more assertive in a more combative environment. It's like altitude training for runners, or the scene in Dodgeball when Patches O'Houlihan teaches the guys to dodge balls by throwing wrenches at them.

[Kamakazie Sith]

That is a beautiful argument. Plus you can use it to show that the S8472 planet killer is a MCR (not that there was any doubt of course).

Don't forget to forcefully remind them that we have NEVER ONCE seen 8472 destroy a WHOLE planet. They may have blew chunks out of the side of the planet facing the camera, but we NEVER saw the whole planet destroyed.

Thank Mike for that one!

We didn't?

[Darth Wong]

Precisely how would that picture be inconsistent with the effects of superheated ejecta from one side of the planet?

[Vympel]

Amusing fact: this idiot on ST.com seems to think that a single episode of TOS regarding warp speeds overrides two entire series with critical plot points centering around slow warp speeds.

Sounds like BigHairyMountainMan/ Sharp Thorn/ TJHairball.

[Ryan Thunder]

Precisely how would that picture be inconsistent with the effects of superheated ejecta from one side of the planet?

I don't know, Mike. I'm gonna go out on a limb here and say it was destroyed. I mean, the Borg said that 8472 destroyed 8 planets, didn't they?

[OmegaGuy]

"Destroy" could mean many things. For example if someone says that the Axis was destroyed in WWII, it doesn't literally mean that every single person on the Axis side had their entire bodies disintegrated.

[Darth Wong]

Precisely how would that picture be inconsistent with the effects of superheated ejecta from one side of the planet?

I don't know, Mike. I'm gonna go out on a limb here and say it was destroyed. I mean, the Borg said that 8472 destroyed 8 planets, didn't they?

And the Allies destroyed thousands of tanks in WW2; does this mean that they were completely vapourized?

Moreover, the bigger argument in that case was actually that the damage to the planet was extremely minimal during the time we saw the S8472 beam actually hitting the planet. In fact, if you look at how little damage the beam is doing while it's hitting the planet in the previous shot, it just doesn't make sense how it could possibly destroy it, unless it's hitting the planet for hours continuously.

[Bounty]

Precisely how would that picture be inconsistent with the effects of superheated ejecta from one side of the planet?

That one isn't, but this one is. There isn't much planet left in the next shot.

I'll try to post video.

[Jark]

And the Allies destroyed thousands of tanks in WW2; does this mean that they were completely vapourized?

Moreover, the bigger argument in that case was actually that the damage to the planet was extremely minimal during the time we saw the S8472 beam actually hitting the planet. In fact, if you look at how little damage the beam is doing while it's hitting the planet in the previous shot, it just doesn't make sense how it could possibly destroy it, unless it's hitting the planet for hours continuously.

From what I've read on the net, a lot of people think it's some sort of chain reaction based weapon. Are there any other more likely explainations?

[Darth Wong]

From what I've read on the net, a lot of people think it's some sort of chain reaction based weapon. Are there any other more likely explainations?

The incredibly underwhelming damage done by the beam when it strikes the planet leaves no other conclusion available, unless we assume the planet was a powder-keg.

[Darth Wong]

Precisely how would that picture be inconsistent with the effects of superheated ejecta from one side of the planet?

That one isn't, but this one is. There isn't much planet left in the next shot.

I'll try to post video.

There's a lot more than there is with Alderaan, so if you're arguing against RSA acolytes, it's a fair argument. Besides, the real argument (as I pointed out in the post above yours) is that the actual beam strike does nowhere near enough prompt damage to be energetic enough for such an event. The planet appears to suffer only minor damage, and then ten seconds later, it abruptly goes boom. Makes absolutely no sense unless there's either a giant explosive device at the centre of the planet or there's some kind of wacky Star Trek chain reaction.

[Ryan Thunder]

Precisely how would that picture be inconsistent with the effects of superheated ejecta from one side of the planet?

I don't know, Mike. I'm gonna go out on a limb here and say it was destroyed. I mean, the Borg said that 8472 destroyed 8 planets, didn't they?

And the Allies destroyed thousands of tanks in WW2; does this mean that they were completely vapourized?

Hey, I didn't say it was vapourized. And considering that the energy requirement for that would actually be lower than simply blowing the planet apart (according to you) that might not actually be as ridiculous as it seems. Even so, it doesn't seem to have been vapourized.

But yeah. Good point.

[Ryan Thunder]

Ghetto edit: Yeah, that idea got crushed pretty bad.

The screenshot just fooled me, see?

[Jark]

The incredibly underwhelming damage done by the beam when it strikes the planet leaves no other conclusion available, unless we assume the planet was a powder-keg.

I see, thanks.

Looking at the pictures in Bounty's link, it looks like a large amount of the planet was vaporized, which I can only guess is what that white cloud is.

[kinnison]

Perhaps 8472's beam is some sort on Niven-style total conversion beam? That would fit IMHO.

[Jark]

Perhaps 8472's beam is some sort on Niven-style total conversion beam? That would fit IMHO.

Could you expand on the properties of that weapon for me please? I haven't heard about it before.