I’ve been too busy for Frank Answers™ lately, but that should change later. So keep those questions coming.
Shawn F. from Louisville, Kentucky writes:
Watching Lance Armstrong stand atop the podium in Paris with the Arch de Triumph in the background and hearing the U.S. National Anthem was absolutely precious. (I hope it really bothered the EMB in the crowd.) But, while I was watching that I couldn’t help wonder – who built the Arch de Triumph? I mean, I know it’s in Paris and all, but surely the French didn’t put it there?
I assume it was built by one of the many nations that “triumphed” in conquering France, and then eventually got bored and left. The French probably haven’t knocked it down because they are scared of it.
Adam Pappas from Newark, NJ asks:
Who would win in a fight between the Justice League and the Arab
League? Does Aquaman have any chance against Amr Moussa if the fight
takes place in a desert?
Justice League would so kick the Arab League’s ass. Superman would personally punch many of them into the sun. Batman when hit them with his batarang and then kick them good. Unfortunately, Aquaman would get whupped by Amr Moussa, but the Flash would quickly run by, grab Aquaman, and then run to the Alps where they could go skiing while the rest of the Justice League takes care of business.
Asha’man from the Chicagoland area writes:
I have a question that has been bothering me for some time. I have watched various SciFi series & movies in hopes of finding an answer; but so far have been unsuccessful so I am hoping you can help! The way I see it, soon the United States will become all-powerful and will master intergalactic space flight. By that time, we should be finished with conquering nations here on earth and we will already own all the oil on this planet.
I want to be able to use these space-craft to seek out new life and new civilizations, boldly going where no man has gone before…for the sole purpose of conquering and stealing oil, that is.
My problem is that I imagine that AS ALWAYS they are going to put up a fuss,
so I need to know if I will be able to fire upon them from my spacecraft while traveling at light speed, or will I need to slow down first? I really like the idea of cruising in faster than light and really letting them have it, but I am afraid that since a laser is light, and I am traveling FASTER than light……I might shoot myself, or worse yet, shoot backwards at my home planet of America!
Can you help me?
Well, this question has to do with the theory of relativity, which states: “Stuff is relative to other stuff.” So, whether firing a laser while going the speed of light will work is relative to everything else. Are you angry when you fire it? What day of the week is it? What color is your spacecraft? Are you a Beatles fan? If your answer to any of these questions was something, then the answer to your query is maybe.
Please keep the questions coming, <a href=”mailto:THISISSPAMTHISISSPAMace you’re from, I’ll randomly select one.
Since lasers travel the speed of light in any frame of reference they will travel away from you at the speed of ligt no matter what speed you’re going relative to your target. From the target’s perspective they will get hit before you shoot. Thus it’s even better than faster than sound missiles which merely hit people before they hear them. You will not, however, shoot yourself.
A simpler way to look at it is you are standing still (since all motion is relative)and the target is moving faster than light and therefore traveling back in time. You will never hit America unless you have your back to the enemy you coward. Unfortunately if you were traveling at exactly the speed of light time would stop and you couldn’t shoot your laser at all. On the other hand why not go back to bullets since at the speed of light even a .22 could blow up the Moon.
When firing a laser while going faster than the speed of light, scoot either left or right immdeiately afterwards, otherwise when you stop to take the oil, the laser will catch up to you and blast you in the ass. This is bad.
Remember: Shoot, scoot, THEN loot.
i ran into a bunch of people who believe approximately Frank’s version of the theory of relativity, and apply it to philosophy, including moral philosophy. (morality is relative to our culture b/c Einstein said so). it was scary.
As long as it’s not the Justice League from the crappy cartoon show. Hate to say it, but the Arab League would probably pull out a draw against them…
How very zen.
Are you suggesting that there is something going on between Aquaman and the Flash? I can see maybe Aquaman swinging that way, but I never knew about the Flash.
The Arc de Triumph I believe was commisioned by Napolean. This was possible because of the First Rule of French Warfare: The French only win when not led by a Frenchman. Napolean was a Corsican.
Sorry to disagree, but Frank was right I believe the Arc de Triumph was built by the Romans when they conquered France.
No, I think it was commisioned by Napoleon. It’s not old enough to be Roman.
Kinda dumb to argue something that can be looked up
within a few seconds on the internet.
http://www.paristours.com/paristours_articles.php?lang=en&monument=1