I did it! I finally did it!

I invented the time tunnel !!!!

Ok, well, I've been running some simulations of a certain problem in physics which is numerically very tricky to get right, though conceptually quite simple. When I run my simulation on Mathematica, the picture above was the result.

Like I said, I just invented the time tunnel. Well, on paper, that is. Now I need to build it... :)

For a fractal-looking picture of the same problem, with different parameters, check this:

[www.restlessbrain.com]

And for what the pictures should look like, here are two examples with "easy" parameters (parameters for which the numerical instabilities don't manifest themselves):

[www.restlessbrain.com]
[www.restlessbrain.com]

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@Roklimber: Congratulations! Unfortunately I haven't done much physics stuff since my first year of university, so this isn't really my area of expertise. But I still offer my well wishes.

And if this in any way leads to time travel I'd like to volunteer for the position of plucky sidekick. I speak two languages, am well versed in the history and literature of many different time periods, know how to horseback ride and am an excellent swimmer. Oh, and I'm extremely clumsy (great for slap-stick humour, which is very important in a sidekick).

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@RandomFrequentFlierDent:

Heh... thanks.

I just realized that maybe not everyone knows what the time tunnel is. "The Time Tunnel" was a TV show in the 60s, about two scientists who get lost traveling through time. Here's a typical picture.

The resemblance to my plot is remarkable. Now, if only I could get rid of those two yellow blobs and their embellishments...

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@RandomFrequentFlierDent: I can be the expedition strong guy! I am tall & can carry great amounts of stuff (see my account name.)I have great hand-eye coordination (for firearms/protection.) I was a boy scout, so I have better than average survival skills. I am a conversational polyglot. I am pretty smart too. I can play the straight man to your slap-stick humour.

@Roklimber: Did you choose the colors?

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@Ruthless, If you let me: Perfect! Now all we need is the time machine.

How's the coming along Roklimber?

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@RandomFrequentFlierDent:

Patience, grasshopper. I'm working on it, but those yellow blobs are very stubborn and refuse to leave the scene.

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@Roklimber:

I challenge Dent for position of sidekick. I carry a multi-tool everywhere and make snarky comments.

Then again, maybe he would be a better choice.

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@Roklimber: Everybody thinks I look like Bruce Willis since I *ahem* decided to start shaving my head bald. Does that fit the tough, menacing sidekick look?

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@bookwench: I think we might need to have an ultimate showdown, cage-match style competition to determine who gets hold the position of sidekick. It'll be epic.

p.s. Er . . . I'm a girl. "Random" is a girl's name (Arther Dent's daughter).

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@Im_your_Huckleberry: You could always go for "hired tough guy". You get to have the adventures, make some money and act like you don't care (even though we all know that deep down you really do).

Plus it'll cut down on the growing competition for the sidekick position.

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@RandomFrequentFlierDent:

Whups! The gender fairy strikes again. Sorry!

I last read the Hitchhiker's Guide series about, um, 20 years ago, so I've forgotten a lot...

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@RandomFrequentFlierDent: @Ruthless, If you let me: @Im_your_Huckleberry: @bookwench:

Relax, folks, there will be space and the need for all of you. Now, if only I could get that darn simulation to converge, I might actually have a shot at building my time machine.

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@bookwench: That's ok, I'd only be offended if the mistake was made upon meeting in person :P

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@Roklimber: You can have one of us in each "time zone".... heh!

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@RandomFrequentFlierDent:

Yeeeah. :) Gender in real life is fun; gender on the internet is hysterical. My husband plays hot female characters in MMORPG's because other players will give him stuff for free and help him without his asking. I try and tell him not to lead them on, but he thinks it's awesome. I tell him he's shallow and can be bought for a shiny bauble. He says I'm loosing out on free loot because of my principles. It generally goes downhill from there.

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@bookwench:

"You can have one of us in each "time zone".... heh!"

No, no, I wouldn't want to leave any of you stranded in time.

Besides, I figure that I'll need, let's see, a few henchmen, a couple of linguists, a historian, a medical doctor (though I'm considering taking an EMH instead - more compact and can go everywhere), two "smooth-talking" people (male and female) who know how to get things, and a pilot or two who can fly anything. Am I missing anything?

Anyway, positions are open. Apply now, but realize that the dangers are many and the pay is none.

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@Roklimber: " Am I missing anything?"

Yes. An architectural field guide. What's the point of traveling through time if you fail to recognize the Neo-Romanesque influences on Victorian architecture. I kindly volunteer myself for the position.

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@EdificeComplex: Ok, you're in. That will give me the chance I've been looking for to strand you somewhere where you can't take over the Academy of Mad Sciences. :)

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@Roklimber: But maybe this is all part of my master plan! :)

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@EdificeComplex: If your master plan is to allow yourself to get stranded in the remote past, with no means of returning to the present, then that's most definitely a plan worthy of Dr. Evil. :)

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