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Last Flight Out

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Re: Last Flight Out

#261

Post by wkat4242 »

fragmede wrote: post #238
hgsgm wrote: post #76

Earlier quoted context omitted.

2 people in a shower doesn't effectively decrease water usage per person, and the logistics overhead would eat into the 4 minutes.

If done with someone you find attractive, that also finds you attractive, 2 people to a shower, that want to participate in this shared activity of showering together, increases this thing called "fun". (Both parties wanting to participate is requisite for this "fun" to happen. If one or both parties does not want to, this "fun" does not happen. Even if both parties want to, that is not a guarantee that "fun" will ha…

> Note that this "fun" is unable to spontaneously generate water, unfortunately.

Ummm about that XD

Re: Last Flight Out

#262

Post by wkat4242 »

mlindner wrote: post #67
Reason077 wrote: post #24

> "Slow and intermittent Internet access." Hmm, how long until Starlink (or similar) reaches the South Pole?

The only Starlink satellites that can hope to reach the north pole are the satellites that reach 82.4 degrees north/south (orbits at inclination of 97.6 degrees) and there's currently only 187 of those operating so very few will be in view at any one time and the Starlink dish needs to pick an orientation so you will only see some of them at any given time (FOV is only part of the direction it's facing, missing at le…

Maybe just put the antenna under a heated dome?

Re: Last Flight Out

#263

Post by wkat4242 »

Maxion wrote: post #220
jedberg wrote: post #187

Why do they make the buildings black and white? Both of those blend in with the snow at night (which is 1/2 the year). Why not make them day glow yellow or something, so they are always visible?

Black to save on heating? During a polar night it gets so dark that once you’re out of flashlight range it doesn’t matter. The issue is the wind blown snow reducing visibility.

Black would also radiate more energy out though. And there's a lot more energyv that can go out than in, in winter. I would imagine using silver colored would be best for insulation.

Re: Last Flight Out

#264

Post by wkat4242 »

lordswork wrote: post #54
pavlov wrote: post #13

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Apparently not great if you're a woman: https://arstechnica.com/science/2023/02/as-antarctic-fieldwo...

From the 274 page NSF report on sexual harassment/assault in the Antarctic[1]: >“a very young woman, [who] had never been on the ice before. Somehow, she slipped away from us and went out to the bar . . . and I was like ‘Oh my god, did we forget to tell her she was prey?’” One survey respondent wrote, “I was told [of] certain guys, by name, to stay clear of and there were several guys who harassed me. Hell, my very f…

Maybe a bit of a leap for an American mindset but perhaps bringing some professionals into this might help the overall atmosphere a lot. Not just between the men and women. Normal work relations would also benefit from not having pent-up desires.

I'm from Holland and we have a lot less taboos on this stuff. But it's kinda weird to me to expect people to forgo a basic human need like sexuality. And celibacy often leads to terrible things like abuse in the church. Their other needs like food, healthcare and heating are met, really it should be possible to talk about this one. If they'd send a massage therapist or a psychologist it would raise no eyebrows. Is this really that different?

Re: Last Flight Out

#265

Post by yencabulator »

davidw wrote: post #229

Curious what that drive from McMurdo is like. Do they have a regular ice road? Or do they just follow directions "Uh, keep going south. Can't miss it"

"995-mile-long (1,601 km) flagged route over compacted snow and ice"

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/South_Pole_Traverse

Re: Last Flight Out

#266

Post by eftychis »

AceJohnny2 wrote: post #234

These stories about the logistics at Amundsen-Scott are a fascinating glimpse at the level of logistical complexity that'd be required for an off-planet (Moon, Mars...) base. Every time I see people get excited about Martian human habitation, I note a lack of discussion of the essential intermediate step: a fully self-sustaining base in the most inhospitable parts of Earth. Where are the Biosphere++ projects? And Amu…

Don't forget protection from solar and other radiation. (Disclaimer: I am one of those that aspire taking humanity to Mars.)

Re: Last Flight Out

#267

Post by yencabulator »

JumpCrisscross wrote: post #171
lisper wrote: post #167

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Goodness, where to even begin? Maybe here... https://www.wired.com/2009/08/spacebabies/ We've never even successfully raised a mouse in space.

Oh, you're talking about extraterrestrial reproduction being intractable. Sure. I have no view on this scientifically. That won't stop people from trying. And I'd assume there's a massive difference between zero g and 0.4g.

> That won't stop people from trying.

Or, what I consider more likely, people not trying but nature, um, finding a way. None of the common prevention methods is 100%.

Re: Last Flight Out

#268

Post by colechristensen »

ryanisnan wrote: post #253
kryptiskt wrote: post #227

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It went well: https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2016/06/22/483121098...

Thanks for sharing! Wild to hear that the plane literally froze to the ice. What a bold pilot.

Those far north bush pilots have a reputation for being bold (er crazy :) )

Re: Last Flight Out

#269

Post by robotresearcher »

ReptileMan wrote: post #239
AceJohnny2 wrote: post #234

These stories about the logistics at Amundsen-Scott are a fascinating glimpse at the level of logistical complexity that'd be required for an off-planet (Moon, Mars...) base. Every time I see people get excited about Martian human habitation, I note a lack of discussion of the essential intermediate step: a fully self-sustaining base in the most inhospitable parts of Earth. Where are the Biosphere++ projects? And Amu…

The first people on mars will be self replicating robots. Due to the way the exponential function works - I think enough terraforming could be done really fast.

We don’t have self replicating robots on Earth. The first people on Mars will be like the first people on the moon: very vulnerable human tourists.

Re: Last Flight Out

#270

Post by cableshaft »

4gotunameagain wrote: post #39
dpflan wrote: post #16

If you're interested in the people and personalities and activities at the South Pole, the Werner Herzog film Encounters at the End of the World is a revealing and interesting documentary. It includes a fascinating part about a deluded penguin choosing to leave its flock and begin a fatal journey towards the center of the island... - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Encounters_at_the_End_of_the_W... - https://www.imdb.c…

The famous scene[0] from this film is a masterpiece. It never fails to sink me to my nadir, so I avoid watching it even if I love it so much. [0] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mnTU_hJoByA

Insightful comment on that video by Chudea. Reposting here so I'll remember it:

"All death is certain. This penguin didn't go to the mountains to die. He went on the journey in order to live. Rest in peace on the top of that mountain, penguin. Your frozen grave will be your place of victory over monotony."

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