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Albert Einstein predicted long ago that faster-than-light travel was impossible. More specifically, he said the laws of physics forbade the observation of any speed faster than that constant 299,792,458 meters per second — no matter how great the energy involved. Einstein's postulate holds true for any reference frame within the fabric of the space-time continuum we're used to. So that means the speed of light's the absolute limit for any object. But now two theoretical physicists from Baylor University are saying that they know how to travel faster than that — and all they'd have to do is change the fabric of space-time itself. More »
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Scientists like Jared Diamond argue that human history is essentially the story of technology. Our technological advancements are what propelled us from caves to cities, from gaslight to nuclear reactors, and from horseback to orbit. But with each advance comes a potential dark side: deadlier warfare, toxic pollution, or social alienation. Taking into account the good and the bad, which of humanity's technological inventions do you think has had the most profound influence on the world? More »
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Most science fiction movies make jumping to other star systems look as easy as stepping out for a bagel. But scientists think it'll never be that easy. So science fiction author Geoff Ryman (Air) invented a new school of writing called Mundane Science Fiction, which avoids faster-than-light travel, time travel or parallel universes. Why is he such a buzzkill? We asked him. More »
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