tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7187641567461387320.post7265102308733449056..comments2023-09-11T08:32:39.024-05:00Comments on SFF Masterworks: SF Masterworks #64: Poul Anderson, Tau ZeroUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7187641567461387320.post-38497079249223495312012-04-15T01:39:01.861-05:002012-04-15T01:39:01.861-05:00How apt that you use Queen's '39 to illust...How apt that you use Queen's '39 to illustrate the power of Poul Anderson's Tau Zero! Each mirrors the other in capturing the impact of the esoteric physics of relativity upon the humans subjected to its effects.<br /><br />Since the original short story was written, cosmologists seem to have ruled out the positively curved, closed universe necessary to the outcome of Tau Zero. Rather than slowing toward an eventual collapse, the universe appears to be increasing its rate of expansion. Its geometry is either flat (zero curvature) or negatively curved.<br /><br />Current science holds that it's flat within a half percent margin of error, so we can readily imagine an alternate universe that has a small POSITIVE curvature. In that universe, Anderson's premise in Tau Zero would hold. What a ride that would be!TedAHunthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02204489522578132464noreply@blogger.com