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[Shadowlord]

For the night is dark

And full of terrors.

[Eric Blank]

Like toothy predatory chickens.

[Rolan7]

And full of terrors.

Yes.  We are pretty terrific, aren't we.

[Kot]

It's also full of tumors.
Genetic engineering is fun!

[MetalSlimeHunt]

We might be better off with an advanced simulation of the world that we can rewind far enough to determine their DNA.

How would that even be possible?

It's probably not, but the idea is basically that if you have a sufficiently accurate model of the world and knowledge of first principles, then the model can effectively determine data backwards as easy as it can forwards. Like a Doppler radar forecast in reverse. Extreme forensics, if you will.

[TD1]

History doesn't have (many) laws of its own. It may borrow from other fields to explain certain things, but to make such a simulation would require in-depth knowledge of historical laws which in all probability don't exist, as we haven't found them yet.

[MetalSlimeHunt]

I was referring more to the first principles of physics. So yes, all we need for Jurassic Park is to be able to create simulated universes copying our own.

Just like this one.

[TD1]

....Awh, dammit. Brace yourselves: Existential crisis is coming.

Or has come already to an alternate you, but thankfully you're in the universe in which it has no impact.

[Flying Dice]

We might be better off with an advanced simulation of the world that we can rewind far enough to determine their DNA.

How would that even be possible?

It's probably not, but the idea is basically that if you have a sufficiently accurate model of the world and knowledge of first principles, then the model can effectively determine data backwards as easy as it can forwards. Like a Doppler radar forecast in reverse. Extreme forensics, if you will.

Sounds like the cast of a primetime crime drama nailed to a skateboard.

[overseer05-15]

The universe is (mostly) empty, yet it is

full of terrors.

[ChairmanPoo]

Relevant to the prior conversation

[Rolan7]

It's probably not, but the idea is basically that if you have a sufficiently accurate model of the world and knowledge of first principles, then the model can effectively determine data backwards as easy as it can forwards. Like a Doppler radar forecast in reverse. Extreme forensics, if you will.

I was referring more to the first principles of physics. So yes, all we need for Jurassic Park is to be able to create simulated universes copying our own.

Just like this one.

"Beware, you who seek first and final principles, for you are trampling the garden of an angry God and he awaits you just beyond the last theorem."
A warning from a pitiable worshiper of Azathoth
Sister Miriam Godwinson, Alpha Centauri

Not saying you're wrong.  Let's keep looking anyway, because even if there IS something jealous or painfully alien out there, it's our duty as humans to keep seeking truth, or at least better understanding (:

It's natural that we invent things to represent our fear of the unknown, but we should then conquer that fear.

[Shadowlord]

Alpha Centauri's leaders really do have the best quotes.

[Rolan7]

They really do, it's seriously uncanny.  I think they rank up there with real classic philosphers, a lot of the time, which is kinda scary.
http://www.generationterrorists.com/quotes/smac.html

[pisskop]

You ivory tower intellectuals must not lose touch with the world of industrial growth and hard currency. It is all very well and good to pursue these high-minded scientific theories, but research grants are expensive and you must justify your existence by providing not only knowledge, but concrete and profitable applications as well.

oh you morgan, the best of them.  I think privately run corps will reach actual civilians in space well before nations.