Abstract
In the previous chapters we have seen that when inertia is understood as a gravitational phenomenon encompassed by general relativity theory, surprisingly large “Mach” effects that should occur at Newtonian order are predicted in systems containing accelerating objects undergoing internal energy changes. Although these effects are only transients, they can be engineered so as to produce thrusts without the ejection of material propellant, and to drive the formation of absurdly benign wormholes should the ADM electron model with negative bare mass and spin capture the essence of reality.
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Notes
- 1.
After the experience related in Chap. 3 regarding the second Mach effect, I would be the last person to blow this off as inconsequential.
- 2.
Part of my lack of concern about finding a good model for Mach effects stems from my experience with zero-pointers who can be utterly irrational in their belief that zero point fluctuations are real, when obviously, they aren’t. Handing people a cute picture as a substitute for reality should only be done with extreme caution.
- 3.
You may be thinking that Arthur Clarke’s law applies here: “When a distinguished but elderly scientist says something is possible, he is almost certainly right. When he says something is impossible, he is very probably wrong.” But it doesn’t.
- 4.
Until then, I had regarded gestalt shifts as pseudo-psychological techno−babble. Skeptical experimentalists are inclined to regard anything they can’t experience for themselves deeply askance. Especially when those things are associated with pop psychology.
- 5.
Published in late 2011 by the University of Chicago Press.
- 6.
Actually, I try to not move in circles. It doesn’t get you anywhere.
- 7.
Fernanda de Utrera was the unique cantaora of flamenco of the past century, and Juan Maya easily the best flamenco guitarist of that period.
- 8.
But it’s hard to pass up Groucho Marx’s comment on time: Time flies like an arrow. Fruit flies like a banana.
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© 2013 James F. Woodward
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Woodward, J.F. (2013). The Road Ahead. In: Making Starships and Stargates. Springer Praxis Books(). Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-5623-0_10
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